When Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang arrived in Johannesburg for the 2025 G20 Summit, he carried with him more than a travel itinerary—he carried a vision for a new economic future for Plateau State.
He was part of the Nigerian delegation nominated by the Presidency to attend the summit, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Over the course of several days, that vision unfolded through high-level engagements, investment pitches, and strategic meetings that positioned Plateau State firmly on the global economic map.
Read also: Can Trump really stop South Africa from attending the next G20 summit?
Governor Mutfwang, accompanied by members of the Nigerian delegation, was received by officials of the Nigeria High Commission in Johannesburg, setting the tone for what would become a collaborative and forward-looking mission.
His first major engagement was the Investment Breakfast Dialogue, jointly hosted by the Nigeria High Commission, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and the MTN Group.
The gathering attracted influential global players from mining, agriculture, energy, digital technology, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.
Before this audience, Governor Mutfwang outlined his administration’s development priorities, presenting Plateau as a state ready for transformative partnerships.
He highlighted Plateau’s strategic development plan, grounded in transparency, improved governance, and new pathways for private-sector growth.
Investors listened attentively as he detailed Plateau’s comparative advantages: rich mineral deposits, agricultural strength, beautiful tourism landscapes, and expanding renewable energy capacity.
For many present, it was more than a presentation—it was an invitation to rediscover Plateau from a global investment lens.
Beyond the breakfast session, the Governor moved into a series of strategic meetings with top industry leaders.
Among those he engaged were the President and CEO of MTN Group, the Executive Secretary of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, and the President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Samaila Zubairu.
These interactions focused on unlocking sector-specific opportunities capable of reshaping Plateau’s economic landscape.
According to a statement by Gyang Bere, his Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPA) “The Governor’s engagements commenced with the Investment Breakfast Dialogue jointly hosted by the Nigeria High Commission, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and the MTN Group. There, he interacted with leading global investors in mining, agriculture, energy, digital technology, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Governor Mutfwang outlined his administration’s strategic development plan, emphasizing Plateau State’s readiness for transformative investments and mutually beneficial partnerships.
During several strategic sessions, Governor Mutfwang met with notable industry leaders, including the MTN Group President & CEO, the Executive Secretary of the NIPC, Ms. Aisha Rimi, and the President & CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation, Mr. Samaila Zubairu. Discussions centered on unlocking new opportunities for investment across key sectors in Plateau State”; Gyang said.
Read also: Trump blocks South Africa from next G20 as tensions hit breaking point
The Governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to investor-friendly policies that eliminate bottlenecks and strengthen business confidence.
He noted that Plateau’s central location in Nigeria positions it as a natural hub for industrial growth, logistics, and innovation.
He also highlighted the state’s youthful population, describing them as “energetic, creative, and ready to power the future of industry.”
Discussions soon expanded into mining and processing, a sector the Governor believes holds some of Plateau’s greatest potential for global competitiveness.
A key moment of the summit was his meeting with Precious Metals Tswane (PMT), a prominent South African refining company.
Governor Mutfwang made a compelling case for PMT to expand operations into Nigeria, proposing Plateau as the ideal destination. He stressed that Plateau is not only rich in minerals but is also implementing reforms designed to make investments more secure and sustainable.
Later, he joined the Nigerian delegation on a technical tour of a metal-processing plant in Johannesburg, where he observed global processing standards, beneficiation technologies, and modern manufacturing models.
Reflecting on the tour, the Governor emphasized that Plateau’s vision is not merely to extract minerals but to build a full processing and value-addition ecosystem.
Such an ecosystem, he explained, would create jobs, expand revenue, and significantly uplift mining communities across the state.
Governor Mutfwang’s engagements at the G20 Summit were far from ceremonial—they were deliberate steps toward repositioning Plateau as a competitive destination for global capital.
As he departed Johannesburg, his message was unmistakably clear: Plateau State is open for business, ready for partnerships, and determined to claim its place in Africa’s emerging economic landscape.
Read also: G20: Tinubu urges fair global mineral policy, pushes value addition for host communities
The Governor’s engagements at the summit are expected to translate into tangible economic gains for Plateau State, especially in sectors that have long remained underutilized. By opening direct conversations with global investors and development finance institutions, he has laid the foundation for new inflows of capital that can support industrial parks, agro-processing zones, and new mining value-chain projects. Such investments have the potential to stimulate large-scale job creation and significantly expand the state’s internally generated revenue.
In addition, the partnerships explored in Johannesburg could accelerate the transfer of technology and technical expertise into Plateau’s key sectors. Exposure to advanced beneficiation methods, digital infrastructure models, and renewable-energy innovations provides the state with opportunities to modernize its industries and improve productivity. This kind of knowledge exchange is essential for building a more competitive and export-driven economy.
More importantly, the Governor’s pitch to investors positions Plateau as a stable, business-friendly environment at a time when global firms are seeking new frontiers for expansion in Africa. With the state’s ongoing reforms in governance and economic management, these engagements offer the possibility of long-term partnerships that can reshape Plateau’s development landscape. If the conversations initiated at the G20 Summit mature into concrete investments, Plateau could witness a new era of economic optimism, improved livelihoods, and sustained growth.
