Are you looking for a business to start in Abia State, if yes, then you need to read this article to the end.
Abia, also dubbed the Japan of Nigeria is a vibrant and industrious state located in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria. Abia is home to over 5 million people, known for their entrepreneurial spirit, with the bustling cities of Aba and Umuahia (translated to market place).
In this article, you will learn the competitive advantage Abia State has and businesses you can start in Abia State that have the potential to thrive if done well.
Abia State Competitive Advantage
Borders 7 States
Abia State shares borders with four South-Eastern States – Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo — as well as three South-Southern States — Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers State. This unique positioning makes Abia State a natural commercial bridge between two of Nigeria’s economically vibrant regions.
The state’s proximity to major urban centers and seaports enhances its role in regional trade, logistics, and supply chains. With key transport corridors running through Aba and Umuahia, Abia is well-placed to serve as a distribution hub for goods moving across the southern belt of Nigeria.
Stable Electricity
In February 2024, the government of Abia State commissioned the Geometric Power Plant, a 188 megawatts integrated project in Aba, designed to provide uninterrupted power supply to 9 of the state’s 17 local governments. Since this development, the electricity supply within the state has improved.
Some users testify that power outages have reduced drastically, with many reporting up to 20 to 22 hours power supply daily. SME’s within the axis where the Geometric power plant covers have expressed relief over reduced fuel expenses and increased productivity.
The state government is also looking to acquire at least 60% stake in the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), if this deal goes through, the state through EEDC, will be able to provide steady power supply to the remaining 8 local governments not covered by Geometric power.
Thriving Industrial Ecosystem
The city of Aba in Abia state, boasts one of Nigeria’s most active and resilient industrial clusters. Known for its high concentration of micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs), Aba is a hub for manufacturing, especially in the production of leather goods, garments, aluminum works, and household items.
The state’s artisans and entrepreneurs have built a self-sustaining industrial ecosystem, characterized by innovative craftsmanship, cost-effective production, and a robust supply chain that supports both local consumption and exports across West Africa.
Skilled Artisan Workforce
The state’s artisans, often trained through generational craftsmanship, excel in producing high-quality leather goods, textiles, and metalworks, earning Aba the reputation as Nigeria’s hub for “Made in Aba” products.
These skilled workers, numbering in the tens of thousands, operate in markets like Ariaria and Ngwa Road, creating everything from bespoke shoes to durable garments with precision and innovation. If you want to start a manufacturing business in Abia state, there is a good number of skilled labor readily available.
Business to start in Abia State
Shoe making
Although Abia State has an established shoe-making industry, particularly in Aba, there is an untapped potential for entrepreneurs to innovate with modern designs.
Most of the shoes in Aba are knock-offs of international brands, skilfully crafted by artisans to meet market demand at affordable prices, there’s an opportunity to create original designs and build authentic brands.
Instead of copying a “Gucci” design and plastering the Gucci logo on it, you can create your own shoe design and name it “Sopuruchi” 😎.
With the help of AI or talents from freelance marketplaces like Fiverr, you can get a nice shoe design without the need of expensive in-house designers pending when you can afford to hire one.
Once your designs are ready, you can register your trademarks to prevent unauthorised copying or imitation.
Cloth making
A lot of clothes being sold in Nigeria and most parts of Africa are imported from China. With the Clothing and textile ecosystem in Aba, starting a garment production business is not a bad idea.
You can create designs that target young and trendy fashion enthusiasts. If you lack ideas, check for inspirations on Instagram and Pinterest.
You could start with Chinos trousers, casual shirts, baggy shorts etc. The best part is you don’t have to sew these clothes yourself or require large equipment to get started; you can buy the materials yourself, take it to a skilled tailor in Aba, show them your designs and tell them to replicate it.
When they are done sewing, give them your cloth label to attach in the right places, package your clothes and start selling.
If you have enough funds to start this business, you can get equipment and hire the tailors off the streets, train them or collaborate with experienced artisans to ensure consistency and high quality.
Male Underwear brand
I went shirt-shopping at Oshodi recently. While selecting the clothes I wanted to buy, the seller asked me if I wanted some boxers.
“Ahh, I like this design, give me three.” That was how I bought three boxers I didn’t plan to buy.
Few weeks later, I visited my friend in Akoka, Lagos and guess what? The same material used in making my friend’s curtains was the same material I was wearing under my trousers.
To make matters worse, this boxer shorts made me sweat.
Why am I lamenting? If you are going into underwear production, please use the right materials 🙂↕️.
Starting a proper underwear brand is a smart and largely untapped opportunity in Abia State. While the fashion and garment industry in Aba is mostly known for outerwear like shirts, trousers, and native attire, the production of quality underwear – boxers, briefs, singlets, bras, and female pants remains relatively underexplored. Yet, the demand is massive.
By focusing on comfort, fit, and branding, an entrepreneur can build a underwear brand that supplies bulk orders to retailers, and boutiques across Nigeria and abroad.
Belt making
Quality leather is not just used for making shoes. It can also be used to make simple items like belts.
In Aba, where access to raw leather, skilled craftsmen, and metal fittings is readily available, starting a belt-making business can be both low-cost and highly profitable.
Entrepreneurs can produce stylish, durable belts for school uniforms, corporate wear, casual fashion, and even uniformed services. With the right branding and packaging, these belts can be sold wholesale to retailers, exported to nearby countries, or sold directly to consumers online.
It’s a smart entry point into the broader leather industry without the high overhead of shoe production.
School bag production
School bags are usually made using materials like leather, polyester, canvas and zippers, many of which are readily available in Abia State.
Combine this with artisans who are skilled in cutting, stitching and finishing and you have a low-cost school bag production business ready to serve millions of students in Nigeria and across Africa.
Branded Mattress
Abia State is not just known for its textile and leather industries; there’s also a growing foam and mattress industry that offers significant business potentials.
With easy access to raw materials for foam sheets production, fabric covers, and packaging materials, entrepreneurs can tap into the rising demand for affordable mattresses by households, student hostels, or hospitality businesses.
Starting a branded mattress line allows you to build a recognizable product in a sector that combines daily necessity with brand loyalty.
Include proper marketing, quality control, and distribution, you can position your brand as a trusted name in comfort.
Personal Shopper
A lot of people living outside Abia State visit the state to buy items in bulk at wholesale prices then transport these products to their regions or countries to resell. This creates an opportunity for a personal shopper business to assist clients by sourcing high quality goods in Abia State, at the best price and handling delivery back to the customer.
To start this business, you can choose a niche. You can focus on helping customers source for only textile materials or shoes, fairly used clothings (Okrika) etc.
Computer Based Test Centre
As more exam bodies like WAEC and NECO are switching from paper based to computer based test methods, there is a business opportunity to build a computer based test centre.
This center will not be used for JAMB, WAEC or NECO exams alone, it can also be used for international exams like IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, SAT, etc.
It could be used for job recruitment exams like the Nigerian customs CBT exams or exams for open universities like MIVA and NOUN.
These exams are held yearly, making the CBT centre business viable all year round.
Inter-State Delivery Business
Abia State is a highly commercial state and it is not leaving that status soon as more businesses will open up in the state due to the stable power supply and industrial ecosystem.
There is no commerce without logistics. As more people become comfortable with buying things online, there will be a rise in the need for logistics. Starting a modern inter-state delivery business in Abia State is a business opportunity that should not be overlooked.
With Abia’s central location and direct road connections to key states in both the South-East and South-South regions, entrepreneurs can build a reliable logistics service that caters to traders, online vendors, and manufacturers looking to move goods quickly and safely.
By combining local knowledge with technology such as GPS tracking, mobile booking, and route optimization, you can offer a competitive and efficient delivery service that meets the rising demand for fast and affordable logistics in Nigeria.
Local Business Directory Website
A business directory is a website where business owners can list their business. It typically includes their business name, address, phone number, website, social media links, and a brief description of their products or services.
Starting a local business directory in Abia State can help connect customers to trusted local vendors, artisans, service providers, and professionals across different sectors. With many small businesses in the state lacking a strong online presence, a local business directory platform provides visibility, boosts credibility, and improves the chances of the business appearing on search engines like Google or AI platforms like Chatgpt and Grok.
You can monetize the website through premium listing plans, ads, and featured placements, making it a scalable digital business with recurring revenue.
An example of a business directory website is Finelib and ConnectNigeria.
Branded packaging materials
More business owners are beginning to understand the importance of branding and packaging, this has increased the demand for customized packaging materials.
From food vendors and fashion brands to skincare and household product sellers, businesses are now investing in branded nylon bags, boxes, stickers, labels, and wraps to stand out and build trust with customers.
Starting a branded packaging business allows you to serve a wide range of clients within Abia and neighbouring states.
Printing Press
Digital books like the Amazon Kindle and PDFs have reduced the global demand for printed books, but in Nigeria, there is still a big market for printed materials.
Schools, churches, political campaigns, small businesses, and government agencies still rely heavily on printed materials such as exercise books, notebooks, flyers, posters, receipts, and banners.
Starting a printing press in Abia State is a viable business opportunity with steady demand. You can start by producing exercise books for students in Nursery or Primary schools and 10 in 1 books for students in tertiary institutions.
You can grow into printing Text books, story books and offering publishing services to authors.
Biscuits production
Most of the biscuits eaten in Nigeria are produced in the South Western parts of Nigeria, particularly in states like Lagos, Ogun and Oyo where major factories are located.
However, demand for biscuits remains nationwide, including in the South-East where consumption continues to grow. Starting a biscuit production business in Abia State presents a great opportunity to serve the local market, reduce transportation costs, and provide fresher products.
With the right machinery, packaging, and quality control, you can produce a variety of biscuits from shortbread and crackers to cabin and sweet biscuits for retail stores, supermarkets and wholesalers.
Football Academy
Abia State is a football-loving state with a strong history in Nigerian professional football, being home to top-tier clubs like Enyimba FC and Abia Warriors.
Despite this rich legacy, many talented young players in the state lack access to structured training, exposure, and proper development pathways. Starting a football academy in Abia offers a golden opportunity to groom future stars while filling a critical gap in youth sports development.
A well-run academy can offer technical coaching, physical conditioning and mentorship for players between the ages of 8 and 18.
With partnerships from schools, local clubs, and scouting networks, the academy can serve as a talent hub for both national and international football markets, opening doors to professional contracts, scholarships, and career advancement.
To make this football academy attractive to parents, it can be infused with normal school curriculums where students learn subjects like Mathematics, English language etc. The school closes by 2PM and the football training could commence from 2:30PM to 5PM.
Training could also be held on Saturdays.
Tissue paper and sanitary pad production
Tissue paper and sanitary pads are everyday essentials with high and steady demand across Nigeria.
As hygiene awareness grows and population increases, so does the need for locally made, affordable options.
A production business in this space involves converting raw materials like pulp and cotton into finished products such as toilet rolls, serviettes, and sanitary pads.
These finished products can be branded properly and supplied to supermarkets, hotels, hospitals, schools, wholesalers, and even government agencies.
Block moulding
Abia State is still in its development phase as a large part of the state is largely underdeveloped. A lot of construction activities are going on within the state, from people building homes and estates to government building Public health centres, schools, malls, parks, etc.
Blocks are one of the most essential … in the construction sector. Having a block moulding business in Abia state where housing and infrastructure projects are on the rise is a great idea.
With these in place, you can supply blocks to real estate developers, individuals, and construction companies. It’s a capital-intensive business at scale, but even at a small level, it provides steady income and can expand into producing interlocking stones, paving tiles, and precast components over time.
Building Materials
You need more than blocks and cements to build homes and public structures. Items like roofing sheets, iron rods, doors, windows, tiles, plumbing supplies, electrical fittings, and paints are all essential components of any construction project.
A building materials supply business in Abia State positions you to serve real estate developers, contractors, and individual homeowners. With steady urban development and ongoing road, housing, and school projects across the state, demand for building materials remains strong.
You can start by focusing on one type of product like Tiles, Wood, Sanitary wares etc then expand into a combination of other complementary building materials.
Conclusion
Abia State isn’t just full of potential, it is actively calling for bold, forward-thinking entrepreneurs to build the future. From the vibrant markets of Aba to the growing industrial zones, opportunities are everywhere for those who can spot them. Whether you’re passionate about manufacturing, trade, or services, Abia offers a fertile ground to turn ideas into thriving businesses.
Don’t let hesitation hold you back. The infrastructure is improving, the market is growing, and support for small businesses is stronger than ever. Start where you are, with what you have.
The road to success might not be easy, but in a state like Abia, where hustle meets opportunity, you won’t be building alone. If you’re serious about growth, impact, and long-term income, the time to start a business in Abia is now.
