Taraba woos investors to cocoa, tea, coffee

The Taraba State government has called on investors to take advantage of the state’s vast potential in cocoa, tea, coffee and agro-allied industries. The Coordinator of Taraba Made Projects, Justin Tyouposu, said the state offers enormous agricultural, mineral and commercial opportunities, describing Taraba as one of Nigeria’s most resource-rich and peaceful investment destinations. Speaking at […]

The Taraba State government has called on investors to take advantage of the state’s vast potential in cocoa, tea, coffee and agro-allied industries.

The Coordinator of Taraba Made Projects, Justin Tyouposu, said the state offers enormous agricultural, mineral and commercial opportunities, describing Taraba as one of Nigeria’s most resource-rich and peaceful investment destinations.

Speaking at the nationwide town hall meeting organised by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, Tyouposu said the state is blessed with vast arable land, a favourable climate and abundant natural resources.

According to him, Taraba is a leading producer of premium agricultural commodities, including cocoa, tea, coffee, natural honey, sesame, maize, cassava, yam, rice, sorghum, soybean, groundnut, ginger, fruits and livestock products in commercial quantities suitable for both local processing and international export.

 

Investment opportunities

He said the state offers attractive investment opportunities in:

Agro-processing and value addition industries

Cocoa and coffee processing plants

Sesame and grain export businesses

Honey production and packaging industries

Livestock development and dairy production

“Today, Taraba offers attractive investment opportunities in agro-processing and value addition industries, including cocoa and coffee processing plants as well as sesame and grain export businesses,” he said.

 

Support for business reforms

Also speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Emmanuel Hassan Longsig, said Taraba fully supports the Federal Government’s drive to improve the business environment through institutional reforms and digital transformation.

Longsig, who represented Governor Agbu Kefas, said “Taraba State remains committed to reforms that enhance investor confidence, improve land administration, strengthen digital platforms and support small and medium-sized enterprises. These efforts are aimed at unlocking the vast economic potential of the state and creating opportunities for our people.”

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Danjuma Ismaila Saigudu, said the government is working towards establishing a one-stop investment centre to provide investors with easy access to information on opportunities in agriculture, mining, energy and other strategic sectors.

He said the initiative would simplify access to investment-related information and support the state’s broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business.

“Several reforms are already underway, and some are beginning to yield positive results. We are determined to sustain these efforts with the support of Governor Agbu Kefas in order to attract more investments and improve the living conditions of our people,” Saigudu said.

PEBEC urges transparency, digital governance

The Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zara Mustapha Audu, urged state governments to prioritise reforms that improve regulatory efficiency, land administration, digital governance and investor engagement.

Audu said investors increasingly assess states based on the transparency of government processes, ease of accessing services, reliability of institutions and the overall business environment before committing resources.

“Investors compare opportunities across states and often select locations where government processes are transparent, predictable and efficient. They want to know that approvals will be granted within agreed timelines and that institutions will deliver on their commitments,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of maintaining a strong digital presence, noting that investors often rely on official websites and online platforms for information on investment opportunities, incentives and government policies.

Daily Trust reports that the event provided a platform for Taraba State to showcase its key agricultural products, particularly cocoa, tea and coffee, which many participants from other parts of the country were unaware are produced in the state.