Business Economy Rivers

Business and Economy Of Rivers State

Rivers State is in the South-South of Nigeria and was created on 27 May 1967. Port Harcourt is its capital city and regarded as the Centre of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Rivers State is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State, and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states.
Rivers State is nicknamed the “Treasure Base of the Nation” is on Nigeria’s coastline and has a number of seaports. Prior to the discovery of oil in Rivers State, Agriculture was the mainstay of its economy. About 39 percent of the state’s total land mass is suitable for crop cultivation. Rivers State also has a lucrative fishing industry.


Rivers State is one of the leading states in the production of yam, cassava, cocoyam, maize, rice and beans. About 39% (760,000 hectares) of the state's total land mass, particularly in the upland area, is suitable for cultivation. Major cash crops produced are oil palm products, rubber, coconut, raffia palm and jute. Other crops grown for food include, vegetables, melon, pineapples, mango, pepper, banana and plantain.