ABA, ABIA STATE IN NIGERIA – THE CHINA OF AFRICA
China is known for one thing, their ability to manufacture anything and everything. No one can dispute this fact. They have the factories and the machinery; they have the man power as well. Business men and women from all over the world go to china to order bulk merchandise to be resold to consumers.
This has greatly improved the economy of China and as at today, the Chinese GDP is at 11.2 trillion USD slowly creeping up to the US 18.57 trillion USD.
This post is not about the Chinese, It is about a place called Aba, in Abia State located in Nigeria. It is a city in the southeast of Nigeria and the commercial center of Abia State.
This place is renowned for its prowess in trade and manufacturing. Aba is known as the China of Africa, this is because everything/anything can be made in this place. You can order and purchase anything you need in bulk.
The market is not just limited to Nigeria. Other neighboring African countries like Ghana, Zambia Cameroon etc. have benefitted from this. This has definitely contributed in helping Nigeria’s GDP to grow.
One significant fact I have to mention is that most of the businesses run in this part of the Giant of Africa are located at home.
One product that I do not fail to patronize is the Shoes made in Aba. Yes!!! I am wearing one right now. As I was teaching, I saw a pair of slippers that a student of mine was wearing and I just had to take a snap shot of it. As I lifted it up, I noticed, how strong they were but something was wrong: The label.
This is one issue that is bringing the market down. Producers are scared that if they label their goods with their brand names, people will not patronize them. These producers then misspell the names of top brands and use it to label their products.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE.
![IMG_0764[1].JPG](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmaBXtNAMzzKQ1UbmMyWCZysBrRnTMVSCgr4W8jE2tQAab/IMG_0764%5B1%5D.JPG)
![IMG_0763[1].JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmY8M2PcXEHBNzDiAkLTSDEHuXUqHArJesb1os5TYEN3B1/IMG_0763%5B1%5D.JPG)
Ariaria Market in Aba is known all over Nigeria. That is the market where all the magic happens.
I am so happy that the Abia State government has taken steps to publicize 'MADE IN ABA' products. They are working in partnership with the Chinese government to train young people who are talented in these areas.
FOR MORE INFO PLEASE READ
http://www.newsexpressngr.com/news/16080-How-Aba-can-truly-be-the-China-of-Africa-through-technology-
This issue has been of concern to me for a while. Due to the way most people tend to be fraudulent and make low quality products, the consumers are scared because they don't know who to trust and instead patronize known brands. I hope the next few years will see African products being bought and consume worldwide.