Enugu Emerges as Top Investment Destination: Governor Mbah Sparks UK Investors’ Interest
Enugu State is fast emerging as a prime investment destination, following a high-profile engagement in London where Governor Peter Mbah showcased the state’s economic potential. Speaking at the UK-Nigeria Project Agglomeration Compact 2026, Mbah emphasized that international investors could expect returns of 25 to 40 percent, noting that global manufacturers and partners are already positioning themselves in Enugu. The forum, organized by Mutandis Africa in collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service, brought together senior federal officials, private sector leaders, and UK-based investors.
Governor Mbah outlined several key initiatives designed to attract investment. The ongoing expansion of Enugu International Airport is expected to serve a regional population of 30 million, transforming the city into a gateway for southeastern Nigeria. In tourism, the state’s scenic landscapes, hilltop views, waterfalls, and caves are being leveraged to develop hotels, resorts, and a conference center. Meanwhile, modern agritech programs, commercial farming initiatives, and power projects targeting over 15 million people are also on the agenda, offering investors tangible, high-impact opportunities.
At the heart of Enugu’s transformation is the launch of a 10,000-hectare smart city, designed to become a modern residential and commercial hub. Mbah highlighted that these developments, combined with expanding healthcare and education infrastructure, are aimed at creating a skilled workforce and stable environment for investment. He praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as the most significant in decades, empowering states to act as engines of economic growth while restoring macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.
The investment forum drew strong interest from private equity funds, sovereign wealth investors, pension capital, and family offices. Chinelo Anohu, Founder and CEO of Mutandis Africa, reported that investors were particularly drawn to Enugu’s aviation, real estate, smart city, and smart school initiatives. The governor’s data-driven presentation and clear project roadmap were credited with sparking immediate post-event investment discussions.
Reinforcing Mbah’s message, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, and Oliver Alawuba, CEO of United Bank for Africa, affirmed Enugu’s strategic position as a top-performing sub-national economy. With robust policy frameworks, fiscal transparency, and proactive state-led initiatives, Enugu is positioning itself as a hub where investors can engage with credible, bankable projects across multiple sectors.
source: The sun