Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Iniobong Ekong (m) speaking while declaring open the 4th Tropicana Trade Fair in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Akwa Ibom rolled out the welcome mat for businesses, innovators, and shoppers on Wednesday as the 4th Tropicana Trade Fair opened in Uyo—an event the state government says is central to its plan to grow commerce and attract new investments.
Coming just a day after the presentation of the 2026 budget, the bustling fairgrounds reflected a renewed push to widen the state’s economic base.
From the moment the gates opened, exhibitors filled the venue beyond capacity, signalling strong enthusiasm from local entrepreneurs and outside investors.
Declaring the fair open, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Iniobong Ekong, described the event as “a strategic platform for attracting fresh investments, stimulating commerce, and accelerating economic expansion across the state.”
Ekong said the fair was designed not just as an exhibition space, but as a showcase of “the vibrant culture, rich resources, and boundless opportunities that define Akwa Ibom’s economic landscape.”
He noted that the presence of both local and international participants reflects “the rising confidence of investors in the state government’s policy drive in making the state a favourable business climate.”
According to him, “Over the next five days, we will be showcasing the best of Akwa Ibom, from agriculture to industry, tourism to innovation. We will be building connections and forging new paths to economic growth and development.”
The commissioner urged exhibitors and visitors to take full advantage of the fair—network, collaborate, strike deals, and explore fresh markets.
These engagements, he stressed, are crucial for strengthening the state’s investment ecosystem and pushing its economic boundaries.
He also praised the organizers for staying consistent with the state’s economic direction, noting that the fair supports the administration’s drive to empower entrepreneurs, boost SMEs, and position Akwa Ibom as a top destination for trade and investment.
This year’s edition has drawn an impressive range of vendors—so many, in fact, that organizers say the demand for exhibition space outstripped the available slots. From education services and electronics to fashion, home décor, food items, and locally made soaps, beauty products, and accessories, the fair offers a sprawling display of creativity and enterprise.
Speaking on behalf of the event consultants, A&NE Consults, Public Relations Manager Magdalene Mendie said the Tropicana Trade Fair was created to give small and medium-sized businesses direct access to a large, diverse consumer base in one location.
She noted that the fair serves as the biggest holiday shopping event in the state, offering residents a convenient, all-in-one marketplace.
The long-term aim, she explained, is to help young, enterprising vendors tap into wider regional and national markets, boosting product visibility and export potential.
But the Tropicana Trade Fair is more than commerce. The venue doubles as a social hub, with food courts, snacks, music, and live performances giving families and visitors a relaxed, festive escape.
As the fair kicks off its five-day run, it adds yet another marker to Akwa Ibom’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s boldest emerging commercial and industrial centres—a place where enterprise is not just encouraged but thriving.
