Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on state governments across Africa to identify and harness their economic strengths to attract investments and promote sustainable development.
Shettima made the appeal on Friday in Calabar, Cross River State, at the sixth African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Investment Conference 2026.
He said economic growth at the national and continental levels depended largely on the ability of subnational governments to transform available resources into viable investment projects.
According to him, states, provinces, counties and municipalities play critical roles in economic development through infrastructure, electricity supply, agriculture and industrial activities.
He noted that roads facilitate the movement of goods to markets, while electricity supports industries and agricultural resources can be processed into valuable products.
The Vice President added that states and regions should be recognised not merely as administrative units but also as production centres, investment destinations and gateways to regional and international markets.
He urged governments at the subnational level to strengthen their capacity to identify areas of economic advantage, develop bankable projects, attract private investors and establish partnerships capable of delivering lasting economic benefits.
Earlier, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, described the conference as an important economic and social event for the state.
Otu noted that Cross River became the second Nigerian state to host the conference, following Lagos State, which organised the event in 2022.
He explained that the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network was established with the support of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to advance regional integration and strengthen economic cooperation among African countries.
The governor said the initiative was aimed at maximising the continent’s economic resources while reducing its dependence on external markets for trade and economic activities.
He also called for increased local processing of agricultural commodities and mineral resources to ensure that African countries benefit more from their natural wealth.
Otu stressed that cash crops and rare earth minerals should be processed within the continent, while trade barriers limiting the movement of commodities between African countries should be addressed.
He added that farmers and miners should enjoy greater economic returns from the value added to their products.
(NAN)
