Abia State has taken a bold leap toward global trade integration with the launch of the Aba Export Growth Lab, an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming locally made goods into export-ready products for the international market.
Governor Alex Otti formally inaugurated the project at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, where the Export Lab is headquartered. The event featured an exhibition of Made-in-Aba products, presentations by business leaders, and a tour of the facility by dignitaries including representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and other development partners.
A collaborative effort between the Abia State Government and international agencies, the Export Growth Lab is designed to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses with the tools, training, and standards needed to access global markets.
Governor Otti, in his address, explained that the goal of the initiative is to help Aba-based producers structure and standardise their goods for international competitiveness.
"What we are doing here is to support our people to produce at global standards—structure, brand, and package their products so they can compete anywhere in the world," Otti said. "If a product doesn't meet the required specification, it must be rejected. This is not about being sympathetic; it’s about doing it right."
He stressed that the project is not a revenue-generating venture for the state but a developmental initiative to uplift small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), insisting that the government would not tolerate sub-standard products.
"The government is not looking to make money from this," he declared. "This is our contribution to building a resilient SME sector in Abia. History has shown that countries like Japan rose through exports—we can do the same."
The pilot phase of the Export Lab will work with 20 businesses across three high-potential product sectors: Akwete cloth, leather goods and footwear, and garments and fashion items—products already attracting interest in international markets.
Abia’s Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, Mazi Mike Akpara, said the project aims to create a direct pathway for local businesses to penetrate the global economy. He noted that by focusing on quality, training, and market access, the initiative will make Abia a model for export-led growth in Nigeria.
In her remarks, UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Elsie Attafuah, applauded the vision behind the project and praised Governor Otti for his commitment to sustainable development.
"If this succeeds—and we believe it will—Abia can lead Africa's industrial renaissance," she said. "We are proud to partner with a government that is forward-thinking and focused on real impact."
Ms Attafuah described the Export Lab as part of a broader development framework the UNDP is driving at the sub-national level, stating that the initiative aligns with the organisation’s vision of inclusive economic growth.
Similarly, the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), represented by Mrs. Nkeiru Ezenwanne, expressed strong support for the initiative. She said the bank is committed to supporting export diversification through funding, credit guarantees, advisory services, and capacity development.
"We support Governor Otti’s efforts to create jobs and grow the economy by focusing on key value chains such as agro-processing, garments, leather and pharmaceuticals," Ezenwanne noted.
In a related move earlier in the day, the Abia State Government and the UNDP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise their partnership in promoting sustainable development across key sectors including agriculture, SMEs, energy, and digital innovation.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony in Umuahia, Governor Otti described the agreement as a landmark moment and pledged to fully implement its provisions.
"This MoU is more than a document. It’s a roadmap for the transformation of Abia," Otti said. "We are committed to inclusive growth, and we know our people are ready. They just need the right support and enabling environment."
UNDP’s Attafuah reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to Abia, describing the MoU as the first under the agency’s Integrated Smart State Accelerated Development strategy.
"We are not just here for the ceremony; we are co-investing in the future of Abia," she said. "This state is emerging as a beacon of sub-national leadership in Nigeria."
With the launch of the Aba Export Growth Lab and a growing list of strategic partnerships, Abia State is positioning itself at the forefront of Nigeria’s push for non-oil exports and SME-led economic development.
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