Bonny Chamber of Commerce Ignites Youth-Driven Economic Movement with BITE 2025
Bonny Island took a bold step towards redefining its economic future with the launch of the Bonny Youth Entrepreneurs Workshop, the first major event under the first Bonny Investment and Tourism Expo (1st BITE) 2025
Designed to position Bonny Island as a key destination for commerce, culture, and tourism, the initiative signals a new era of youth-led transformation for the ancient kingdom.
The workshop, spearheaded by the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, brought together young entrepreneurs, business leaders, and strategic partners in a vibrant atmosphere that blended economic ambition with cultural pride.
Held under the theme “Bonny Island, The Nexus for Commerce, Culture & Tourism” the event is part of a broader vision to stimulate local investment, encourage innovation, and market the island’s unique heritage to the world.
Speaking at the inauguration, President of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Constance Nwokejiobi, described the workshop as a defining step in Bonny’s journey toward youth-led development.
“This is the beginning of a youth-led economic revolution in Bonny Kingdom, you are the light we’re igniting. This is your moment. Take it. Own it. Grow it.”
According to her, the Chamber’s 1st BITE 2025 is more than a program. It’s a strategic movement to revive Bonny’s economy by empowering its youth and showcasing its vast potential.
Through access to finance, business toolkits, and mentorship opportunities, participants are being equipped to tap into local and international trade avenues, including frameworks offered by Afreximbank and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
The Youth Entrepreneurs Workshop marks a defining moment for Bonny, with the Chamber describing it as the launch of a “youth-led economic revolution.” It also aligns with efforts to draw global attention to Bonny’s dual identity as a historical cultural haven and an emerging business frontier.
Beyond the workshop, BITE 2025 offers a week-long itinerary designed to spotlight the island’s economic and cultural assets. Activities include a thanksgiving service, a symbolic golf tee-off, and guided tours of iconic landmarks such as the Finima Slave Museum, Bonny Lighthouse, royal palaces, and heritage marketplaces. Creative exhibitions will further highlight Bonny’s evolving identity through fashion, cuisine, and artistry.
This first phase of BITE 2025 sets the stage for a larger event in December, which will feature an international conference, business exhibitions, and a food and cultural festival.
The December gathering is also expected to unveil expressions of interest for the proposed Bonny Kingdom Free Park, a significant milestone in the island’s vision to become a regional trade hub.
The Chamber’s leadership has made clear that the heart of this initiative lies with the youth seen not only as beneficiaries but as the drivers of Bonny’s future.
The call to action is for Bonny to rise and its young people must take the lead, boldly, creatively, and with purpose. As the island leans into its rich history while reaching for global relevance, they look forward to BITE 2025 becoming a turning point, where tradition meets innovation, and where the next generation writes a new chapter for Bonny
