Omowunmi Semudara
Nigeria has attracted about $19.4 billion pledged investment on the sideline of the United National General Assembly (UNGA) in New York through Silicon Valley Nigerian Economic Development Inc.(SVNED) owned by the Former President of the All Nigerian-American Congress (ANAC), Amina Temitope Ajayi.
The investors, CITCO Global Holdings, Global Expansion AXIATel, and Allen Le & Partners International Vietnam signing a memorandum of understanding all pledged to invest $5 billion, $3.2 billion, and $11.2 billion respectively in the development of various sectors of Nigeria’s economy, including tourism, aviation, technology, telecommunications, agriculture, entertainment, sports and energy industries.
According to a released statement from the partners, the partner is projected to also improve the country’s strained economy while creating employment opportunities for the youth.
Speaking about the partnership, Ajayi who is the Chief Executive Officer of SVNED, said the economic summit in New York provided an opportunity to amplify the need for additional support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She said SDG Eight prioritises sustained inclusive and sustainable economic growth as well as productive employment and decent work for all.
“It also speaks to goal nine, which supports the need to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation,” she said.
According to her, the investment also promotes SDG 17, which talks about strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
Speaking on the investment, the representative of Global Expansion AXIATel, Morgan Martinez, said the firm would be bringing a $3.2 billion investment to Nigeria, while at the same time developing the tourism, aviation, technology, telecommunications, agriculture, entertainment, sports and energy industries.
Also speaking, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Allen Le & Partners International Vietnam, Kingsley Onyeocha, pledged to invest up to $11.2 billion in the areas of eco-friendly transportation including an electric vehicle assembly plant and batteries plant, 2:1 solar megawatt agric project, mining and affordable housing projects.
