Attracting Investors in Contemporary Society: Building the Foundations for Sustainable Growth

In today’s interconnected world, attracting investment has become a defining concern for nations and regions seeking to grow their economies and secure long-term prosperity. Investment is no longer confined to the movement of capital from one place to another; it is the foundation of job creation, technological transfer, industrialization, and global competitiveness. The ability of societies to attract and retain investors increasingly determines whether they remain at the periphery of global trade or emerge as participants in shaping the next phase of economic growth.

For emerging economies, especially in Africa, the question is not whether investment is desirable but how to position themselves in ways that make global investors look inward rather than outward. Across the globe, competition for capital has intensified. Multinationals and institutional investors weigh their options with great care, comparing the costs and risks of operating in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya with those in Vietnam, Mexico, or Eastern Europe. The hard truth is that investors naturally gravitate toward places where security and infrastructure are reliable, governance is predictable, and returns are measurable. Those realities form the backdrop against which any responsible and responsive government must operate.

In contemporary society, investors are not persuaded merely by rhetoric or promotional campaigns. They look for tangible indicators: reliable power, modern transport systems, skilled labour, digital connectivity, security and a regulatory climate that reduces uncertainty. This explains why countries in Asia, particularly China and Vietnam, have become industrial hubs, absorbing capital and production facilities that previously sat in Europe or North America. They did not achieve this through slogans; they built ports, created export-processing zones, improved logistics, and offered clear policy frameworks.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is uniquely positioned to attract investors given its large domestic market, vibrant youthful population, and strategic location. Yet, paradoxically, it has struggled to translate its potential into sustained inflows of capital. Weak infrastructure, policy inconsistencies, insecurity, and bureaucratic bottlenecks have repeatedly undermined confidence. For decades, Nigeria’s reliance on oil revenues created a dangerous dependency that left other sectors neglected. With global shifts toward clean energy and reduced demand for fossil fuels, the urgency of diversifying the economy has become more pronounced. Investors today are asking hard questions: how can Nigeria guarantee returns in agriculture, manufacturing, or digital services if roads are collapsing, ports are congested, and power supply remains erratic?

The contemporary global economy does not wait for laggards. Investors have alternatives, and capital will always flow to where it is most productive. This reality has spurred a new wave of competition among developing nations, with some moving aggressively to upgrade their infrastructure and reform institutions. Countries like Rwanda and Morocco have earned reputations as investor-friendly destinations by simplifying processes, fighting corruption, and investing in critical infrastructure. They have shown that even without vast natural resources, a clear vision and consistent governance can attract global attention.

For Nigeria and its sub-national governments, the challenge is to replicate such examples within their own contexts. No investor will wait for promises that do not translate into action. They demand a level playing field, clear dispute-resolution mechanisms, and guarantees that their investments will not be eroded by policy reversals or political instability. To meet these expectations, governments must go beyond slogans to implement reforms that touch ordinary life. When roads are fixed, when power supply is steady, when digital networks are reliable, and when security is assured, investors naturally take notice.

Investment is also increasingly tied to the global transition toward sustainability. In contemporary society, investors are not only concerned about profit margins; they are also sensitive to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. This means governments must show that they are committed to green energy, environmental protection, and social inclusion. Failing to adapt to these new expectations risks excluding entire economies from the flow of global capital, as more investors align with climate-conscious and socially responsible frameworks.

Yet the path to attracting investment is not only about hard infrastructure or ESG compliance. Soft infrastructure matters as much. Education and skill development are crucial because investors need a workforce that can handle modern technologies. Legal systems must be efficient, protecting contracts and resolving disputes fairly. Tax regimes must balance the need for public revenue with competitiveness. Above all, there must be trust, trust that rules will not change overnight, trust that corruption will not swallow opportunities, and trust that government is genuinely committed to partnership.

Nigeria has begun taking steps in this direction, with reforms around the ease of doing business and digital registration of companies. But progress has been uneven, and sub-national governments play a decisive role in shaping how investors perceive opportunities. A state that can demonstrate seriousness in infrastructure renewal, fiscal discipline, and institutional credibility stands a better chance of attracting businesses than one that relies on federal promises alone. Investors increasingly evaluate local conditions, comparing one state against another, and directing resources accordingly.

It is here that Abia State under Governor Alex Otti offers an instructive case study. While Nigeria as a whole continues to struggle with systemic challenges, Abia has begun positioning itself differently. The state has invested heavily in road rehabilitation, digital infrastructure, and industrial hubs, creating the basis for investor confidence. In just over two years, over 200 roads have been built/reconstructed, not as isolated projects but as part of a coordinated effort to link markets, communities, and industrial areas. The revitalization of the Geometric Power project in Aba has provided a rare guarantee of reliable electricity to businesses something that has long eluded most Nigerian cities. And in January 2025, the state signed a landmark agreement with a global digital infrastructure company to roll out fiber optics, data centers, and broadband access across the state, turning Abia into a prospective hub for the digital economy.

These moves may appear routine in advanced societies, but in Nigeria they are transformative. Investors cannot ignore them. What Governor Otti has done is to recognize that development does not happen by chance; it must be built deliberately through infrastructure and governance that speak to investor needs. His emphasis has not been on chasing investors with words but creating conditions that make them come naturally. Roads that connect producers to markets, power that sustains industries, and digital networks that attract tech firms these are the real invitations investors respond to.

The results are beginning to show. Abia has already been ranked among the top states for capital inflows in the past year, attracting over $150 million in foreign investments. Projects like the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park are designed to host manufacturing plants, refineries, and incubation centers, offering long-term opportunities for both local and international investors. These initiatives send a clear signal: Abia is serious, and seriousness in governance translates into investor confidence.

The story of Abia under Otti is not about perfection but direction. It shows that even within Nigeria’s complex environment, states can carve distinct identities if they commit to infrastructure, transparency, and rule-based governance. It also highlights a broader lesson for contemporary society: investors are discerning, and they reward seriousness. In a global economy where capital is highly mobile, the societies that will thrive are those that demonstrate readiness not in words but in action.

Attracting investment is not an abstract economic concept; it is the foundation of creating jobs, raising GDP, and improving living standards. It requires governments to think long-term, to understand the language of investors, and to align domestic realities with global expectations. Contemporary society demands nothing less. Abia State, through its new direction, illustrates how leadership rooted in infrastructure and institutional credibility can begin to reverse decades of neglect. It shows that while Nigeria as a whole still faces daunting challenges, pockets of progress can light the way forward.

The future belongs to societies that make themselves irresistible to investors not by chasing them to Tokyo, Beijing, London, or New York, but by building environments so competitive that investors come willingly. Nigeria has no shortage of potential; what it needs is the discipline to convert potential into tangible foundations. Contemporary society will not wait, but with the right choices, Nigeria and states like Abia can still rise to claim their place as genuine destinations of capital, innovation, and growth.



Oluebube A Chukwu PhD, writes from Umuahia.