Labour Party candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Dr. Chima Anyaso, has highlighted the importance of trust, reputation and a verifiable financial track record in attracting investment, saying investors are increasingly interested in the credibility and history of the individuals and organisations they intend to partner with.
Anyaso made the remarks on Wednesday, September 23, while speaking at a UNGA 2026 Side Event organised by the Global Reputation Forum in New York. The 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly is currently holding its High-Level Week in New York, with the General Debate running from September 22 to 28.
Speaking on the theme, “Beyond Borders, Building Prosperity That Lasts: The Sustainable Development Agenda,” Anyaso said trust had become a critical component of investment decisions, particularly in Africa.
According to him, “capital does not move only towards opportunity. It moves towards opportunity that investors believe they can understand and protect and eventually realise.”
He argued that reputation, like trust, is built over time and becomes an important asset when individuals seek to attract investors or financial partners.
Anyaso said international investors were not necessarily guided by the size of a country’s population when considering individual investment opportunities, but by the ability of the prospective partner to demonstrate credibility, accountability and capacity to manage resources.
He said investors would want to know the track record of the person or organisation they were dealing with, including what they had done in the past and how they had managed financial obligations.
Drawing from his experience in the oil and gas sector, Anyaso said his own financial history had helped establish the confidence required to access institutional financing.
He disclosed that he obtained his first major banking facility in 2006, when he accessed a $10 million loan facility, despite operating from what he described as a modest office at the time.
According to him, the facility was not secured because of the appearance or size of his office, but because of the financial records and history associated with his business.
“I had a reputation of managing people’s funds because in oil and gas and in the financial sector, you manage people’s money,” he said.
He explained that banks examine the movement of funds, financial records and the ability of a prospective borrower to manage and repay obligations before extending significant facilities.
Anyaso further noted that investors often undertake their own due diligence through financial institutions before committing capital to a business or individual.
He said a poor relationship or reputation with financial institutions could therefore become a significant obstacle to attracting international investment.
The Bende Federal Constituency candidate also recounted his experience while attempting to purchase his first house in the United Kingdom, saying the process involved an extensive Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure.
According to him, the process took almost a year before the required checks were completed, after which subsequent transactions became significantly easier.
Using the experience to illustrate the importance of reputation, Anyaso said businesses and individuals must be prepared to establish credibility and overcome the initial barriers associated with international due diligence.
He concluded that trust and reputation had become important commodities in the global financial and investment environment, stressing that investors want to establish the capacity of prospective partners and their willingness and ability to honour agreements.
Sign: Promise Uzoma Okoro,anipr
Director, Media & Publicity of the Chima Anyaso Campaign Organization
