Ogun Leads Africa’s Green Future, Wins Sustainability Prize at Algiers Trade Fair
By Charles Segun Adegbite
Ogun State has once again taken the spotlight on the global stage, emerging as the winner of the Most Sustainable “Going Green” Stand Award at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025, held in Algiers, Algeria.
The award, presented on Wednesday, celebrates Ogun State’s outstanding commitment to sustainability and innovation, setting a benchmark for other sub-nationals across the continent. Organisers of the fair—Afreximbank, the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat—praised the state’s exceptional contribution to the week-long exhibition, which ran from September 4 to 10.
Adding prestige to the recognition, the victory plaque was endorsed by none other than Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former President and Chairman of the IATF 2025 Advisory Council.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, had earlier reinforced the state’s rising influence at a high-level panel session titled “Investment Showcase: Unveiling Opportunities from Select African & Caribbean Sub-Sovereigns.”
In his presentation, the Governor underscored Ogun’s bold steps to attract investment, dismantle trade barriers, and deepen regional economic integration.
“Ogun is not just Nigeria’s Gateway State by name, but by action. We are building multi-modal infrastructure and creating economic clusters that will power the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into reality,” Governor Abiodun declared.
He emphasized that Africa, despite its vast potential, still struggles with low levels of intra-continental trade—barely 15 percent of total trade—due to poor infrastructure, regulatory bottlenecks, and fragmented value chains. Ogun State, he said, is deliberately addressing these gaps through its economic transformation blueprint.
This blueprint includes flagship projects such as the Gateway International Cargo Airport, the Ijebu-Ode and Kajola Dry Ports, over 1,200km of upgraded roads, and expanded gas networks. It also features world-class industrial clusters and free trade zones like:
The Remo Economic Development Cluster, anchored by the newly licensed Gateway International Airport.
The Ijebu Economic Development Cluster, strategically located near the Dangote Refinery and agro-allied industries.
The Agbara Industrial Cluster and the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, among others.
These hubs are designed to create synergy through co-location, shared utilities, and integrated value chains—positioning Ogun as the beating heart of Africa’s sustainable industrial growth.
With this recognition, Ogun has not only reaffirmed its status as Nigeria’s leading investment destination, but also signaled its determination to lead Africa into a greener, more interconnected economic future.
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