The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its partnership with Abia State, with British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, highlighting the state’s growing reputation for entrepreneurship, innovation and economic opportunity.

Baxter made the commitment at the end of a two-day visit to Abia State, which focused on strengthening cooperation in digital transformation, investment, energy, trade and economic development.

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The visit included a meeting with Governor Alex Otti, engagements with civil society and electoral stakeholders, a tour of the Geometric Power Plant and participation in the State-Level Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Reforms Enabling Digital Transformation (SPRIRET) programme under the UK’s Digital Access Programme.

The SPRIRET engagement brought together public and private sector actors to strengthen the policy, regulatory and institutional foundations required to support inclusive digital transformation in Abia.

Discussions with Otti covered opportunities to expand UK-Abia cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, education, energy and digital development. They also addressed democratic governance, preparations for forthcoming elections and the importance of maintaining a peaceful and inclusive political environment.

Baxter said Abia’s entrepreneurial energy was increasingly being matched by what he described as a positive policy environment.

“Abia is one of Nigeria’s most entrepreneurial states, and that energy is now being matched by a positive policy environment. Throughout this visit, I have been struck not only by the ambition, innovation and determination I have encountered, but by the deliberate steps the Governor has taken to create the conditions for that ambition to thrive,” he said.

He said the same approach was important in the digital sector, where effective policy and regulatory frameworks were necessary to support transformation.

“Digital transformation depends on getting the policy and regulatory environment right, and we are responding to Abia State’s demonstrated desire to do exactly that. The United Kingdom is proud to support Abia’s digital transformation through our Digital Access Programme and the SPRIRET initiative,” Baxter said.

“We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Government and people of Abia State and building on the strong foundations of the UK-Nigeria strategic partnership.”

Governor Otti thanked the British Deputy High Commissioner and his team for visiting the state, saying Abia remained open to partnerships capable of strengthening its economic development.

He expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to stronger government-to-government and business-to-business partnerships capable of supporting the state’s economic transformation.

Otti particularly welcomed Baxter’s visit to the Geometric Power Plant, describing reliable electricity as central to the success of Abia’s manufacturing and business community.

He said his administration was working to expand reliable electricity supply across the state, stressing that the cost of unreliable power was ultimately higher for businesses because of their dependence on generators, diesel and maintenance.

“Once you have reliable power, whatever the cost is, it is still going to be cheaper than not having reliable power,” the governor said.

Otti said the state was also working to expand electricity supply beyond Aba, including efforts to secure the necessary rights to enable Abia operate as an integrated power market while leveraging infrastructure already available at Geometric Power.

The governor also highlighted Aba’s manufacturing base, particularly in footwear, garments and other locally produced goods.

He said the state government was working with partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to improve finishing, packaging and export opportunities for locally made products.

Otti assured that the state government would participate in the Digital Access Programme engagement scheduled for Thursday, adding that the administration would continue working with the UK team to identify practical areas of collaboration.

SPRIRET is funded through the UK’s Digital Access Programme and is being implemented in five Nigerian states, including Abia.