Edo State has entered a strategic partnership with the State of the African Diaspora to attract investment and accelerate development in key sectors, including the proposed Gele seaport, agriculture and railway infrastructure.

The agreement was discussed during a meeting between Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora, Dr Louis-Georges Tin, in Benin City. The partnership is intended to establish a framework for investment and development projects that can expand economic opportunities across the state.

The proposed Gele seaport is one of the major projects identified under the partnership, alongside railway development linking Gele to northern areas and investments in agriculture. The projects are expected to strengthen infrastructure, improve connectivity and support trade and economic activity in Edo State.

Governor Okpebholo said attracting investment from Africans in the Diaspora was important to the state’s development strategy. He also highlighted the role of the Edo State Diaspora Agency in strengthening connections with Nigerians and people of African descent living abroad, particularly as remittances continue to support households and communities.

Tin said the partnership represents more than conventional investment, describing it as an opportunity for Africans in the Diaspora to reconnect with the continent and contribute to its development. He said the State of the African Diaspora represents an estimated 350 million people of African descent worldwide.

Joint teams from Edo State and the State of the African Diaspora have been established to assess priority projects and develop the partnership framework. The identified projects have been submitted for legal review, with amendments expected where necessary to protect Edo State’s interests and establish a workable investment structure.

The partnership could position Edo State agriculture and infrastructure as important areas for Diaspora investment, while the development of the proposed seaport and railway could improve logistics and create new opportunities for trade, agribusiness and regional economic growth.