A European consortium based in Italy, Advanced Global Solution (AGS), is set to invest multi million dollars in the Nigeria economy.

The consortium is proposing to invest in renewable energy, plastic recycling, agriculture among other critical sectors in Abia State Nigeria which has of late, become a major industrial hub in the country.

President of the Consortium, Mr Attilio Bianchi, disclosed this during a strategic meeting with Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Addressing the Governor, Mr Bianchi said his consortium’s pursuit was in line with the vision of the Italian Government, and the European Union (EU), to mitigate the phenomenon of illegal migration from Africa by investing in African countries through a strategic plan called “Flex Town”.

Flex Town, according to him, is a research conducted by the consortium which has already been submitted to the Italian Government.


He said :”This plan will have positive effects on the micro-economies of some rural West African countries, support her economy and develop the manpower of the continent. In so doing, it will discourage internal immigration from the rural areas to the metropolitan urban areas, which is the main source of illegal migration from Africa.”

He noted that a special plan to skill the manpower and the local technician had been developed through the cooperation between the AGS Consortium and a local new Nigerian company, called NITA Engineering Ltd, based in Lagos.

Mr Bianchi stated that AGS Consortium was founded by five companies with the special scope of bringing constituents and other European companies to explore the various opportunities and also most importantly invest in Africa.

“In fact, within the first weeks of April 2024, with an expectation of at least 20 new companies the consortium will be open for subscription from some selected associated new companies, committed to investing in Nigeria, with expertise in waste/plastic recycling, mechanized agriculture, amongst others.”

Mr Bianchi also stated that he and his partners are willing to bring their expertise to partner with the government on areas of mutual interest, to develop projects and open new production companies based on the Nigeria territory, in conjunction with the NITA company in Lagos.

According to him, the capital required to sustain these investments can be provided directly by some of the investors, in partnership with local private or public entities, or through the possibility of exploring the availability of Italian and European public funds.

“The Italian Government is promoting new policies that will encourage investments in countries where illegal immigration originates, creating job opportunities and possible legal immigration, and inviting skilled workers from Nigeria who are prepared to work in foreign countries. The most important project that the Italian Government is promoting, is called “Piano Mattei” (Mattei Plan), where the “Flex Town” project can find a possible natural collocation.

“Of course, the guidelines of the “Piano Mattei” are related to the green philosophy of the investment, privileging the investment based on a sustainable environmental policy.”

Bianchi further asserted that an international Economic Forum had been scheduled for Lagos in September by the Italian Government.

“Most of my partners will be in Nigeria for the Forum and will be open to engage the Government of Abia State further,” he said.

He said the consortium would conduct a security analysis as well as feasibility study of the state.

“Naturally, before starting any kind of investment in Abia State, there is a need for an analysis of the local security conditions and how to set them.

Moreover, there is also a need to work on some feasibility plans in selected sectors or fields, privileging the water treatment sector, the agro-food sector, the waste plastic recycling chain, the renewable energies field, and some innovation sectors, like new breeding systems and greenhouse agricultural solutions.”

Responding, Governor Otti appreciated the consortium for finding Abia State worthy of investments.

He noted that there are things that support businesses and investments, such as infrastructure, security, and good government policies, assuring that his administration is committed towards providing the enablers.

Otti promised that under his watch, Abia would be a preferred destination for investors.

He said that: “Abia State is interested in mechanized farming, waste recycling, and renewable energy.”

The Governor assured the consortium of the readiness of his Government to partner “any organization/entity that will satisfactorily provide the services the state needs.”

Otti further assured the delegation of a conducive business environment and return on investment.

Meanwhile, both parties agreed to meet again while they studied the proposals and agreed on areas of common interest.

Mr Bianchi commended Lady Ucheoma Vanessa Ekeledo, an Abian, and the Minister in Charge of Rome Based International Organizzations in the Nigerian Embassy in Italy, for her instrumentality in facilitating the meeting.

Members of the delegation include Engr. Obinna Gerald Azike (Owner of Genoel Nig. Ent. & AGS Technical Consultant); Mr Habakuk Aboki (Chairman Benjaden & Bianchi Nig. LTD – AGS partner); and Ms. Nelly Nguvan Onwuegbuna, a lawyer.

Penguin2:
Agbado people’s salty tears starting in one, two, three, go!

Investments that their almighty Lagos is not attracting, that’s what Abia is already attracting all because of the good work of Otti.

The investors are flowing to Abia because they know there won’t be jobless Omo Nile invalids to harass them with the shouts of “Owo da?”

And we are just less than a year in.

By 8 years Lagos will be playing catch-up.

I didn’t know Abia was the most strategic Southeastern State until recently.

Thank God they gave us Abia and took Enugu. Our breakthrough have started.

Once Otti delivers the Seaport too…. Make I no talk everything 😏