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Abia State Unveils SME Village and Innovation Hub in Aba
The Abia State Government has approved the establishment of an SME Village and Innovation Hub in Aba as part of a strategic effort to boost small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), stimulate innovation, and accelerate economic growth across the state.
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Governor Alex Otti disclosed the approval on Friday during the February edition of his monthly media parley held at the Government House in Umuahia.
Hub to Strengthen Productivity and Digital Innovation
According to the governor, the proposed facility will function as a centralised hub for enhanced productivity, innovation, and enterprise development. The SME Village will also serve as a dedicated centre for the sale, maintenance, and repair of computers and mobile phones, supporting Aba’s growing technology and artisan ecosystem.
Otti explained that the project would strengthen the capacity of local entrepreneurs and expressed confidence that collaboration with the Export Growth Lab at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic would further reinforce the initiative.
Land Acquired, Private Sector Participation Encouraged
Governor Otti stated that the state government has already acquired land for the SME Village and Innovation Hub, underscoring what he described as a “principled commitment” to supporting SMEs in Abia State.
He also disclosed that the government has completed the acquisition of Afro Beverages from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and has begun receiving expressions of interest from prospective investors.
Similarly, the governor revealed that Star Paper Mill in Owerrinta has attracted investor interest, noting that the state prefers competent private-sector operators to manage such assets sustainably.
Reviving Industries, Creating Jobs, Preventing Collapse
Governor Otti said the overarching objective of these interventions is to restore industrial operations, create employment opportunities, and prevent the recurrence of business failures.
“The goal is to revive these assets, create jobs, and ensure that once restored, they do not collapse again,” he stated.
Key Benefits of the Aba SME Village and Innovation Hub
The proposed SME Village and Innovation Hub in Aba is designed as a modern, tech-driven commercial ecosystem with wide-ranging economic benefits, including:
- Centralised Business Ecosystem: A structured environment for artisans, computer dealers, mobile phone sellers, and repair technicians.
- Economic Growth and IGR Expansion: Positioned to boost Abia State’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
- Massive Job Creation: Expected to generate about 25,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs across ICT, manufacturing, and retail sectors.
- Innovation and Modernisation: The Innovation Hub will promote the use of digital tools to upgrade traditional crafts such as leatherworks and garment production.
- Simplified Export Processes: A one-stop Export Growth Lab will assist businesses with registration, regulatory approvals including from National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and export documentation.
- Urban Decongestion: The project will help reduce unregulated commercial activities currently congesting parts of Aba.
- Infrastructure Support: It aligns with broader plans to improve power supply and infrastructure to support manufacturing and industrial activities in Aba.
Transforming Aba into a Premier Commercial Hub
The SME Village and Innovation Hub reflects a deliberate policy by the Abia State Government to reposition Aba as a premier commercial and industrial hub, improve the ease of doing business, and unlock the economic potential of SMEs through technology, infrastructure, and private-sector collaboration.
