Rivers State is on the cusp of a boost in foreign capital inflow, and direct investments in agribusiness, tourism and power, as well as upsurge in the development of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
This, according to Joe Johnson, State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, follows years of targeted reforms, infrastructural development and economic recalibration by the Siminalayi Fubara administration.
Johnson, in a chat with news reporters in Port Harcourt, said Rivers State is gearing up for a historic business breakthrough in 2026, given the groundwork laid for an unprecedented business boom.
He described the state as a “sleeping giant, now awakening under Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration,” adding that tourism, power and livestock sectors hold the fast-emerging opportunities for foreign and domestic investors.
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The state is currently ranked third fastest growing economy in Nigeria, behind Lagos and Abuja.
Johnson said that the Fubara administration’s commitment to peace, infrastructure, and private-sector growth has already resulted in an influx of local and international investments.
He said several foreign missions and investment groups from Europe, Middle East, Asia have expressed interest in the state, with projects in livestock processing, eco-tourism and agro-industrial hubs lined up.
Johnson pointed out that Fubara administration’s transparent economic management, infrastructural expansion, and peace-driven leadership have sparked an influx of new investments into the state, urging foreign and domestic investors to tap into the fast-emerging opportunities in the state.
“Governor Fubara has repositioned our economy as one of the most viable destinations for agribusiness, tourism, and intentional about diversification and industrial innovation. The government is intentional about diversification and foreign partnerships,” he said.
He noted that the state’s fertile environment, rich biodiversity, and robust infrastructure give it a natural advantage over many competing regions, adding that “Rivers State is abundantly blessed with natural and human capital. We are simply opening new frontiers for global partnerships.”
Johnson stressed that the Fubara administration is determined to ensure policy stability, improved security architecture, and investor protection frameworks, adding that investors will not regret choosing Rivers State as a business hub.
“Our administration is providing every necessary support to make Rivers State the preferred investment destination in the South-South region. Governor Fubara’s leadership has restored investor confidence and created a business climate defined by peace, transparency, and trust”.
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The commissioner further said that the government is working to establish investment facilitation desks, agro-industrial clusters, and tourism development zones in collaboration with development partners and private-sector investors.
He explained that the state government has spent the last two years consolidating governance, stabilizing the political climate, strengthening security operations, and revamping business regulations. The result, he said, is a predictable environment capable of attracting both local and foreign investors.
Johnson pointed out that among the notable initiatives are improvement in the case of doing business, digitalization of government processes, expansion of agricultural value-chains, maritime sector repositioning, and the reactivation of industrial hubs.
