OWERRI, Imo State — Imo State is set to host one of West Africa’s most significant economic gatherings this season as the Imo Invest Summit 2025 brings together global leaders, CEOs, and international finance institutions from December 4-5 at Concorde Boulevard, Owerri.

The historic two-day summit will welcome distinguished figures including Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General; Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia; Boris Johnson, former British Prime Minister; and Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius, alongside global development experts and investors.

Themed “Unlocking Imo’s Economic Potential: Partnership, Investment, and Innovation,” the summit highlights Imo State’s transformation agenda, aimed at positioning the region as a competitive economic hub through investments in infrastructure, industrial growth, clean energy, agriculture, technology, and strategic public-private partnerships.

Governor Hope Uzodinma described the summit as a milestone for regional development, saying, “This is more than an economic summit; it is a blueprint for how African states can compete on the global stage. We are presenting bankable projects, concrete reforms, and real opportunities for partners who want to be part of Africa’s next growth frontier.”

The summit will showcase major projects across several strategic sectors:

Orashi Special Energy Zone, reflecting Nigeria’s gas-to-industry strategy and renewable energy initiatives

Industrialization via Special Economic Zones

Agriculture and agro-processing

Digital infrastructure and technology

Tourism and the creative economy

Large-scale infrastructure financing through public-private partnerships

High-Level Programme

Day one will feature a keynote presentation by Ban Ki-moon on attracting global capital to African subnational economies, a fireside chat with Prof. Benedict Oramah on Special Economic Zones, and panels on infrastructure financing, energy access, and logistics development.

Day two will focus on youth, technology, and Africa’s economic future, with sessions covering agro-industrialization, digital transformation, and tourism as economic catalysts. The summit will also host business matchmaking sessions, a solid minerals roundtable, an SME pitchathon, investment showcases, and closed-door meetings with government officials, regulators, and development finance institutions.

National and international media are invited to cover the summit. Accredited journalists will have full access to keynote sessions, exclusive interviews with global leaders and industry figures, advance briefings on major deals and policy announcements, and on-site logistical support.

The Imo Invest Summit 2025 underscores Imo State’s ambition to attract global investment and highlight the role of subnational governments in driving Africa’s economic growth.