The Imo State Government has announced the Imo State Economic Summit 2025, a high-profile forum designed to attract investment, innovation, and sustainable growth to the heart of Southeast Nigeria. The two-day event, scheduled for December 4–5, 2025, will take place at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Center (EIICC) in Owerri, positioning Imo as a new frontier for business and development.
Governor Hope Uzodimma is leading this initiative under his “3R” agenda, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Recovery, focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, empowering youths, and strengthening economic reforms to support private-sector participation. The summit aims to align Imo’s growth with Nigeria’s national goals, including the energy transition and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Unlocking Imo’s Potential Through Partnership and Innovation
Themed “Unlocking Imo’s Economic Potential: Partnership, Investment, and Innovation,” the summit will bring together an impressive lineup of national and global leaders. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will serve as the Chief Host, emphasizing the federal government’s support for Imo’s transformation drive.
Confirmed speakers include top executives such as Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (Fidelity Bank), Dr. Adaora Umeoji (Zenith Bank), Olusegun Alebiosu (First Bank), and Prof. Benedict Oramah (Afreximbank). These thought leaders will share insights on SME financing, ethical banking, de-risking investments, and trade finance, crucial elements for economic expansion.
The summit’s agenda features panel discussions, investment showcases, and interactive workshops focused on key sectors like infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, digital transformation, tourism, and youth entrepreneurship. Each session is designed to produce actionable outcomes that support Imo’s economic diversification goals.
Imo’s Roadmap for a Sustainable Future
Organizers expect the summit to produce a comprehensive roadmap that could unlock over $200 million in potential agro-export opportunities. Participants will explore how public-private partnerships (PPPs) can transform Imo’s landscape, especially in roads, power, and industrial development.
According to Prince Eze Ugochukwu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, “The summit’s outcomes will serve as a roadmap for unlocking Imo’s full economic potential through credible dialogue, strategic partnerships, and actionable solutions.”
Governor Uzodimma reinforced this vision, stating, “Prosperity is built on partnerships that innovate and invest.” His administration’s achievements, including major projects like the 52km Owerri–Mbaise–Umuahia Road and Assumpta Flyover, demonstrate the state’s readiness for investment-led growth.
A Call to Action for Investors and Innovators
Registration for the event is open via imoeconomicsummit.com, with opportunities to attend, sponsor, exhibit, or speak. Investors, innovators, and diaspora partners are encouraged to participate in shaping Imo’s economic transformation.
The Imo State Economic Summit 2025 is more than an event, it’s a strategic platform designed to propel the state into a new era of prosperity, inclusivity, and innovation, setting a benchmark for subnational economic transformation in Nigeria.
