Delta economic summit: Kwale, Koko FTZs offer investors unmatched opportunities – MD Akpovie

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Delta State Special Economic Zone (DSEZ), Pastor Godwin Akpovie, PhD, has highlighted the investment opportunities and incentives available at the Kwale and Koko Free Trade Zones (FTZs), describing them as strategic destinations for investors ahead of the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit.

Speaking at the DSEZ headquarters in Asaba, Delta state capital, Pastor Akpovie said the two free trade zones were designed to provide an investor-friendly environment through incentives, including duty-free importation of machinery and raw materials, exemption from corporate taxes, 100 per cent capital and profit repatriation, simplified regulatory processes and enhanced security.

He noted that with global investors increasingly searching for locations that guarantee cost efficiency, stability and strong returns, Kwale and Koko FTZs offer the necessary framework to attract large-scale industrial investments.

Akpovie while making comparative advantages of the two zones, identified energy availability as the major strength of Kwale FTZ, stressing that the state occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s oil and gas landscape.

According to him, Nigeria has about 215 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, with approximately 80 trillion cubic feet located in Delta state, while an estimated 50 trillion cubic feet is within the Kwale Free Trade Zone.

He explained that the zone’s direct connection to the OB3 gas pipeline would provide industries with reliable and affordable energy supply, giving companies involved in fertilizer production, petrochemicals, cement, ceramics and other energy-intensive sectors a competitive advantage.

On Koko FTZ, Akpovie described location and trade connectivity as its strongest assets, noting that its proximity to Koko Port and access to the Atlantic Ocean would provide investors with seamless links to international shipping routes.

FTZ MD added that the strategic location would help reduce logistics expenses and transit time, making the zone attractive to manufacturing companies, agro-processors, logistics operators and warehousing businesses.

“The vision of the Delta Special Economic Zone is to provide a complete investment package where Kwale offers affordable and dependable energy, while Koko provides direct access to maritime trade routes. Both zones also provide policy support and access to regional and global markets,” he said.

Akpovie said the forthcoming Delta State Economic and Investment Summit that will be held in August 3 to 5, 2026 would offer a platform for local and international investors to discover opportunities in manufacturing, processing, exports and other productive sectors within the two zones.

He, however expressed confidence that the full development of Kwale and Koko FTZs would stimulate job creation, accelerate industrialisation and position Delta state as a leading investment hub in Nigeria and West Africa.