Fortune India 40 Under 40 2026: Nara Lokesh on Andhra’s investment pitch, governance, and building Amaravati

Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as an investment destination by focusing on what Nara Lokesh describes as the “three S’s” — speed, service and stability — as the state competes with other regions to attract businesses and new investments.

Speaking at the Fortune India 40 Under 40 event, Lokesh, Minister for IT, Electronics and Communications, Real Time Governance and HRD, government of Andhra Pradesh, said investor confidence depends not only on incentives but also on how quickly governments respond, engage with businesses and maintain policy continuity.

“The three S’s” are “speed, service and stability,” Lokesh said. “Governments might come, might go, but all of you are looking for a stable policy framework.”

‘My job is to close the deal’

Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh has sought to build a direct feedback mechanism with investors, including personally tracking the progress of investments.

“A lot of the investors, I actually share feedback on their investments. What is the current status? Almost every Saturday night, I send a message to them, personally,” he said.

He also credited chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's track record with helping the state attract businesses.

“Mr. Naidu himself is a brand. And Mr. Naidu comes with an amazing track record,” Lokesh said. “Having a Chief Minister who can open doors makes my job half easy. And the other half is for me to go into the meeting room and close the door and close the deal.”

Lokesh said the combination of Naidu's outreach and the state's execution has helped Andhra Pradesh stand out in the competition for investment.

Focus on institutions, not just governments

Lokesh said his approach to governance is rooted in the idea that politicians and business leaders are custodians of the institutions they run.

“May it be business, it could be politics, I believe all of us are merely custodians of the institutions that we govern, or we manage, or we run,” he said.

As a minister, he said his objective is to leave the education department in a better position than when he took charge.

“How can I leave an institution that I've inherited better when I demit the office?” Lokesh said, adding that politicians should be “institution builders.”

He also said his approach to politics has been influenced by working with his father, the Andhra Pradesh chief minister.

“Politics and government are no different. They are great stakeholders, and what matters is having honest, open conversations behind closed doors. That is the essence of leadership my father has taught me,” Lokesh said.

Research, education key to new sectors

Lokesh also highlighted the need for greater investment in research and the development of new sectors.

“A lot of money needs to go into research. I believe that that is the need of the hour,” he said, adding that education could play an important role in creating links between talent, research and emerging industries across countries.

“We can do the matchmaking across continents to really double down on research and new sectors,” he said.

On education, Lokesh said he is particularly focused on building a value-based system and challenging established gender stereotypes.

“One thing I am very passionate about is a value-based education system,” he said. “One of the most important changes we need to bring about is challenging gender stereotypes. That is the kind of transformation our education system needs to create a more equal and inclusive society.”

Lokesh’s pitch to young entrepreneurs

Lokesh also invited entrepreneurs from the Fortune India 40 Under 40 cohort to participate in Andhra Pradesh's development rather than simply look overseas for examples of transformation.

“By no means we are perfect, but we are willing to learn from every mistake that we make,” he said.

He positioned Andhra Pradesh, and particularly Amaravati, as a platform for entrepreneurs and businesses willing to participate in the state's development.

“What I'm here to offer to you is a platform called Andhra Pradesh,” Lokesh said, adding that he hoped the state could create a model that future generations would be proud of.

His message to the young entrepreneurs was direct: “Step out of your comfort zones and be part of the change.”

“I look forward to learning from you and seeing the change you create,” Lokesh said.