The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has thrown its weight behind Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah’s economic expansion agenda, seeking a stronger partnership with the state government to help drive the proposed growth of the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
The NACCIMA President, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, made the commitment on Friday when he led a delegation of the association on a courtesy visit to Governor Mbah at the Government House, Enugu.
Ibrahim also commended the governor for what he described as efforts to tackle insecurity and create an environment conducive to business and investment, stressing that security remained fundamental to economic development.
“We want to congratulate you because security is the number one item. Without security, there is nothing else we can do,” Ibrahim said.
He said security was the first pillar of NACCIMA’s STEAMS agenda, which encompasses Security, Technology, Education, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Solid Minerals.
The NACCIMA president said the association was prepared to support Mbah’s ambition of growing Enugu’s economy from an estimated $4.4 billion in 2023 to $30 billion by 2031, while calling for deeper collaboration between the government and the organised private sector.
Among the areas of proposed collaboration, Ibrahim listed joint trade fairs and investment summits, improved land-allocation processes, public-private partnerships for industrial parks and stronger cooperation between the state government and chambers of commerce.
He also disclosed that NACCIMA was working with partners in Frankfurt, Germany, to facilitate access to affordable capital for industrialists and manufacturers, with financing of up to $10 million for seven-and-a-half years at single-digit interest rates.
Ibrahim expressed particular interest in promoting Nsukka yellow pepper as an export commodity, as well as establishing the proposed Renewed Hope NACCIMA Village in Enugu, with the state among six being considered for the initiative.
According to him, the project would promote rural enterprises and help address rural-urban migration, urging Governor Mbah to champion its establishment in the state.
Responding, Governor Mbah described NACCIMA as “the voice of the Nigerian business community” and said his administration’s economic strategy was anchored on private capital, with government providing the enabling environment and de-risking investments where necessary.
Mbah said his administration remained committed to its campaign promise of expanding Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within four to eight years.
He explained that the government’s investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism, transportation and security were designed not only to improve living conditions but also to create the foundation for sustained economic growth and private-sector investment.
On security, Mbah said his administration had tackled insecurity “frontally”, leading to the end of the sit-at-home order within three months of his assumption of office.
He said the state had also established a Safe City Surveillance System, including a Command and Control Centre, as well as a Distress Response Squad equipped with vehicles fitted with AI-enabled surveillance cameras.
The governor linked the improved security environment to increased investor confidence, citing investments and partnerships involving United Palm Products, Sunrise Flour Mill, Nigergas Limited, Hotel Presidential and Landmark Nike Lake Resort.
Mbah further highlighted the administration’s efforts to attract manufacturing investments, including the Enugu Haier Factory and a tractor assembly plant.
He said the state government had provided guarantees and purchase commitments to de-risk the projects and encourage local production.
On tourism, Mbah said Enugu was targeting three million visitors annually, adding that the state had launched Enugu Air and was working with the Federal Government and private-sector partners to operationalise the international wing of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
He listed ongoing tourism projects, including a 400-metre zip line, cable car infrastructure, the Cross of Hope at Awhum, the ancient iron-smelting site at Lejja and the Nsude pyramids.
The governor also said his administration was investing heavily in education and healthcare, including the construction of more than 7,000 classrooms under its Smart Schools initiative.
According to Mbah, the Enugu International Hospital was also designed to position the state to attract a greater share of the medical tourism market.
He said the various interventions were part of a broader strategy to create the conditions required for sustained private-sector investment and move Enugu towards its long-term economic and human-development objectives.
