Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has urged Igbo traders to move beyond conventional trading and focus on manufacturing and digital commerce to compete in the changing global economy.

Otti said this on Monday in Umuahia during the Igbo Day Lecture and Dinner organised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide with the theme, “The Igbo Charter and Development of Ala Igbo.”

The governor said Abia and Ndigbo, historically known for trading, were deliberately shifting their focus towards manufacturing and technology-driven commerce.

Reflecting on concerns over the increasing presence of Chinese traders competing with Igbo entrepreneurs in retail businesses in Lagos, Otti said the response was to move beyond that level of trading.

Otti said digital commerce would enable Abia entrepreneurs to compete globally rather than remain dependent on conventional physical markets.

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