Enugu Targets $30B Economy as State Partners PEBEC, OPS to Eliminate Business Bottlenecks

Our Reporter 

ENUGU, NIGERIA – The Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitment to dismantling regulatory bottlenecks, harmonizing tax systems, and digitizing processes to transition the state into a $30 billion private sector-driven economy.

This was the central theme at the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Nationwide Townhall & Stakeholders Engagement, held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the Hotel Presidential in Enugu. 

The high-level event brought together top government officials, the Organized Private Sector (OPS), and captains of industry to co-create practical solutions aimed at improving the state's Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) profile.

Government Driving Reforms for a $30B Economy

Declaring the townhall open, the Enugu State Honourable Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Hon. Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, emphasized that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah is built on building investor confidence and lowering the cost of doing business.

"Under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, Enugu State has made the business climate a central pillar of our governance agenda," Ogbu-Nwobodo stated. 

"Three years into this administration, our focus has been clear: dismantle bottlenecks, improve infrastructure, digitize processes, and build investor confidence. The goal is ambitious but achievable - a $30 billion economy driven by private sector growth."

The Commissioner noted that the engagement with PEBEC was highly strategic, stressing that "no government can get reforms right in isolation" and that policy feedback from ground-level business operators is vital to Enugu’s economic roadmap.

Private Sector Applauds Growth, Flight Logistics Improvements

In his goodwill message, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) and Chairman of ECOBPA, Engr. Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe, praised the state government's collaborative approach over the past three years. He lauded the visible physical developments in Enugu, noting they leave a lasting positive impression on visitors and investors alike.

Onyemelukwe specifically highlighted a major logistical milestone that has significantly improved operations for local entrepreneurs: the ability to run same-day business trips from Enugu to major commercial hubs like Lagos and Abuja.

"Enugu businessmen and women have further gained advantage with the fact that we can now depart Enugu for Lagos and Abuja for business, transact our business and return the same day, saving time and money," Onyemelukwe said. He further described Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo as a "square peg in a square hole," reaffirming ECCIMA's commitment to pushing Enugu State into the "pole position" of national ease-of-doing-business rankings.

Activating the Nsukka Economic Zone: The ₦1B Fund and 'Ose Nsukka'

Presenting a strategic grassroots perspective, Sam Otobeze (Esq.), President of the Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (NSCCIMA), commended both the Federal and State governments for their efforts in infrastructure expansion, security alignment, and tax harmonization to eliminate multiple and fraudulent tax collections.

However, Otobeze pointed out that many small and medium enterprises (SMEs), petty traders, and informal sector operators face severe operational pressures due to rising business costs and transition challenges with the new tax frameworks. To bridge this gap, he called for structured sensitization and closer collaboration with local chambers.

To move beyond policy reforms into "deliberate economic activation," NSCCIMA formally proposed the establishment of a ₦1 Billion Enterprise Development Program Fund (EDPF) held in trust by the Chamber. The catalytic fund aims to support youth, women-led enterprises, and agro-processing clusters in the Nsukka growth corridor.

Projected 12-Month Impact of the Proposed ₦1B EDPF: SMEs Supported: 1,200 – 1,500 small businesses and traders.

Empowerment: Over 1,000 youth and women-led enterprises; job Creation: 2,500 – 3,500 direct jobs; 7,000 – 10,000 indirect economic opportunities; and financial Output: Generation of ₦2.8 Billion to ₦5 Billion in immediate economic activity, scaling to ₦15 Billion – ₦30 Billion over five years.

Otobeze emphasized that this economic expansion would ultimately widen Enugu State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base through business formalization and improved tax compliance. 

He also highlighted the global export potential of "Ose Nsukka" (the unique yellow pepper native to the region), alongside massive value-chain opportunities in cashew, honey, cassava, and rice processing.

National Spotlight Shifts to Enugu in September

The NSCCIMA President announced that Nsukka has secured the hosting rights for the NACCIMA 3rd Quarter Council and Executive Committee Meeting in September 2026.

The prestigious national event will be integrated with a massive Trade Expo and Investment Showcase, drawing manufacturers, exporters, and investors from across Nigeria. 

Otobeze requested a strong partnership with the Enugu State Government to leverage this event to market the state as the premier investment haven in the country.

The townhall wrapped up with interactive breakout sessions where stakeholders across various sectors mapped out actionable inputs to feed directly into the state's ongoing Ease of Doing Business and SABER (State Action on Business Enabling Reforms) implementation strategies.