Economic Summit: Brazil, Malaysia Investors Declare Readiness to Invest in Delta

Investors from Brazil and Malaysia have declared their readiness to invest in Delta State’s agriculture, energy and industrial sectors following an inspection tour of key investment sites across the state as part of the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba.

The investors visited the Kwale Special Economic Zone, the Kwale Gas Gathering Hub, Phoenix Company, Skyward Resources Group in Oleh and Uzezi Farms in Oyede, where they commended the state’s investment-friendly environment and pledged to explore strategic partnerships.

Leader of the Brazilian agribusiness delegation, Roberto Fonseca, described the Kwale Special Economic Zone as a visionary project capable of attracting global investors and boosting Nigeria’s industrialisation.

Fonseca disclosed that the Brazilian group was considering investments in gas-fired power generation and a cassava processing plant through a joint venture arrangement, noting that Kwale’s strategic location made it an ideal investment destination.

He said, “We have been studying the Kwale Special Economic Zone with great interest because we believe it is a very wise decision by the Delta State Government. We are planning investments in natural gas power generation and cassava processing, and I believe the Brazilian flag will soon stand alongside the Nigerian flag here in a fruitful partnership”.

Fonseca also said Brazil was ready to invest in ranching, beef processing and agricultural technology, stressing that stronger collaboration would boost food security and productivity in Nigeria.

He stated, “Food security remains one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges, and Brazil is ready to contribute by bringing technology, expertise and investment. We are committed to partnering Nigeria to build a stronger agricultural sector”.

Also speaking, Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Aiyub Omar, disclosed that Malaysia was exploring investment opportunities in Delta State’s agricultural sector, particularly in oil palm development.

He noted that he attended the summit alongside representatives of Malaysian agribusiness firms with extensive experience in large-scale plantation management, including operators managing over 12,000 hectares of oil palm in Nigeria.

Omar said discussions had already commenced with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on possible collaboration to develop Delta’s oil palm industry.

Founder of Agrinexus, Dr. Shermal Perera, said his organisation was already working in Nigeria and had begun collaborating with local partners in Delta State.

Perera disclosed that Agrinexus serves as technical partner to JB Farms, one of Nigeria’s leading oil palm companies, while also supporting DELCOM on a proposed smallholder oil palm development programme.

He added that the company had brought an American investor to explore investment opportunities in Delta, stressing that international interest in the state was already translating into concrete business engagements.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investors, saying the state can no longer rely solely on oil revenue.

He declared, “We cannot continue to depend only on oil. We must lay a solid foundation outside the oil sector for this generation and those coming after us. That is why this economic summit is very important”.

The governor also announced that the state had set aside $100 million as a Viability Gap Fund to de-risk new investments, saying, “This is a practical demonstration of our total commitment to ensuring that the agreements reached at this summit are executed without delay”.

Speaking during the inspection tour, Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, said the state deliberately combined investment discussions with visits to existing businesses to demonstrate that Delta was genuinely ready for investment.

According to him, “What we are looking for is partnership, technology and expertise. We want investors to see that Delta means business. We have indigenous entrepreneurs who are here to stay and are ready to partner with investors from across the world. We want you to have confidence that your investments will be safe in Delta State”.