The President of the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Engr. Omoregie Godwin Eki, has described trade fairs as powerful platforms for economic transformation, stressing that they go beyond exhibitions to drive investment, partnerships, and enterprise development.
Speaking at the 2026 Trade Fair pre-launch dinner in Benin City, Eki said the forthcoming event would serve as a marketplace for ideas, capital, and opportunities, bringing together key players across sectors.
He noted that Edo State occupies a strategic position within Nigeria’s economic landscape, serving as a critical link between major regions of the country. According to him, the state is endowed with strong potential in agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, and a growing small and medium-scale enterprise sector.
Eki emphasised that while production capacity exists, limited access to structured markets has continued to constrain growth. He explained that a well-organised trade fair would bridge this gap by connecting producers with buyers, innovators with investors, and policymakers with industry stakeholders.
He also underscored the importance of government support, stating that policy stability, infrastructure development, improved ease of doing business, and security remain essential for private sector growth. The trade fair, he added, would provide a platform for dialogue and feedback between government and business leaders.
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Calling for greater collaboration, Eki said sustainable economic progress in Edo State would depend on deliberate and coordinated partnerships between the public and private sectors. He urged stakeholders to view the 2026 trade fair as the beginning of a new phase of economic development.
In his remarks, the Trade Fair Director, Dr. Jonathan Oboite, said the initiative is designed to unlock local potential and position Edo businesses within global markets. He noted that many communities possess valuable resources and skills that remain underutilised due to limited exposure to international trade opportunities.
Representing Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment, Hon. Omoh Anabor, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the initiative. He said the ministry would work closely with stakeholders to ensure transparency, accountability, and long-term impact.
Anabor added that strong collaboration between government and the private sector is key to driving job creation, attracting investment, and strengthening the state’s economy.
The 2026 Edo Trade Fair is expected to draw investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from across Nigeria and beyond, as efforts intensify to position the state as a hub for commerce and innovation.
