By Peter Omopo
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has attracted strong interest from foreign investors following engagements at an investment forum held in London on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the United Kingdom.
Speaking at the UK-Nigeria Project Agglomeration Compact 2026 hosted at the House of Lords, Mbah highlighted investment opportunities across key sectors of Enugu State’s economy, assuring potential investors of returns ranging between 25 and 40 per cent.
The forum, organised by Mutandis Africa in collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service, brought together senior government officials, private sector leaders, and members of the international investment community, including private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, and development finance institutions.
Mbah outlined ongoing projects in infrastructure, aviation, agriculture, tourism, power, healthcare, and education, positioning Enugu as a strategic economic hub in the South-East.
He disclosed that the state’s international airport is being expanded to serve a regional population of about 30 million people, with the aim of transforming Enugu into a gateway for the South-East economic corridor.
In tourism, the governor said efforts are underway to reposition the state as a destination for leisure and business travel through the development of hotels, a conference centre, and the revitalisation of resorts.
He added that the government is modernising agriculture through agritech and commercial farming initiatives to enhance food security and boost export-oriented value chains.
Mbah also pointed to opportunities in the power sector, noting that more than half of the region still lacks reliable electricity, creating room for large-scale investment to meet growing demand.
He further revealed plans for a 10,000-hectare smart city project designed to serve as a modern commercial and residential hub.
The governor commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as the most significant in decades. He noted that policies such as foreign exchange unification and fiscal reforms are improving transparency and boosting investor confidence.
According to him, the reforms signal a shift that empowers subnational governments to function as drivers of economic growth and creates opportunities for investors to engage directly with states.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Umaru Kwairanga, and Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa, Oliver Alawuba, affirmed Enugu’s growing reputation as an emerging investment destination.
Kwairanga said the Nigerian Exchange is on track to triple its performance in 2025, driven by increased investor confidence and ongoing banking sector reforms.
Founder of Mutandis Africa, Chinelo Anohu, said investors at the forum expressed strong interest in sectors such as aviation and real estate, as well as in supporting Enugu’s smart city and smart schools initiatives.
She added that discussions had progressed to the stage where post-event investment processes would commence immediately.
