The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has disclosed plans to grow the South-East economy from about $40 billion to $200 billion in the next 10 years by investing in infrastructure, agriculture, technology, industry, and security to attract investors and create economic growth.
Mark Okoye, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, outlined the blueprint while presenting the 2026 budget proposal before the House of Representatives Committee on the South East Development Commission at the National Assembly in Abuja. The House approved the N140 billion proposed by the commission for project execution in the 2026 fiscal year, providing immediate momentum for the multi-sector strategy.
Okoye described a development agenda focused on stimulating growth through industrialisation, agriculture, technology, the creative industry, and large-scale infrastructure to position the South-East as a competitive investment destination on the African continent. Central to the plan is turning the five states—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo—into a unified economic bloc capable of drawing domestic and foreign capital at scale.
“Achieving the target of a $200bn economy in 10 years requires strong collaboration with state governments, the National Assembly, the private sector and the diaspora community,” he said. This partnership model underpins every pillar, ensuring that federal intervention through the SEDC catalyses state-level action and private investment.
Infrastructure forms the foundation of the growth strategy. The commission intends to mobilise private-sector financing for major projects through an investment vehicle. “The commission plans to capitalise the South-East Investment Company Limited, an investment subsidiary designed to mobilise private sector financing for major infrastructure projects including railways, power, ports and gas pipelines,” Okoye stated. The company will develop viable projects by conducting feasibility studies and other preparatory processes to attract funding from investors and development partners.
Complementing this is the establishment of a Project Preparation Facility to finance technical groundwork for these initiatives, covering feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, and engineering designs. Railways across the five states are specifically highlighted to enhance trade and investment. Okoye explained that the SEDC has a comprehensive plan for rail construction “to enhance trade and investment to make the region a unified economic block through shared visions of all stakeholders.” These connectivity projects will lower costs, improve market access, and create the physical backbone needed to support industrial and agricultural expansion while signalling to investors that the region is ready for business.
Security is positioned as a critical enabler rather than an afterthought. The commission is developing a regional security initiative to strengthen safety across the five states. Okoye highlighted the South-East Security Intervention Programme, which seeks to “support the design of a coordinated regional security architecture across the five states of the region.” He stressed that improving security coordination will play a critical role in creating the stable environment required to attract both domestic and foreign investments, directly linking safety to the $200 billion economic target.
Agriculture receives dedicated attention to drive productivity and agro-industrial linkages. The SEDC plans to promote mechanised farming through land clearing and the establishment of large demonstration farms across rural communities. These farms will cover between 200 and 300 hectares in different locations “to stimulate agricultural production and encourage agro-industrial development,” according to Okoye. The initiative also includes aggregation centres where smallholder farmers can supply produce for processing and commercial distribution, creating efficient value chains that will boost output, generate rural employment, and feed into broader industrial growth.
Industrialisation is advanced through the South-East Industrialisation Programme, which aims to develop special economic zones capable of attracting manufacturing investments to the region. These zones will target sectors with strong potential, supported by reliable power, transport, and policy incentives made possible by the infrastructure investments. The creative industry is integrated into the plan, leveraging the region’s cultural assets to expand economic output beyond traditional manufacturing.
Technology and youth empowerment form another growth engine. The commission will roll out a Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme that provides funding support for young entrepreneurs and technology startups. By equipping the region’s youthful population with capital and skills, the SEDC expects to spark innovation in fintech, agrotech, and digital services—sectors that will multiply the impact of agriculture and industry while creating high-value jobs that appeal to both local talent and international partners.
Environmental challenges are acknowledged and folded into the infrastructure push. Okoye explained that gully erosion remains one of the most pressing issues, with more than 2,700 identified sites in the South-East. The financial burden is significant, as the cost of remediating a single site could range between N10 billion and N20 billion. By integrating erosion control into larger infrastructure and agricultural projects, the commission aims to protect arable land and safeguard the foundations of the $200 billion expansion.
The 2026 budget itself reflects the urgency and scale of these ambitions. Okoye provided details on the approved N140 billion allocation, noting a capital expenditure of N106 billion, recurrent expenditure excluding personnel of about N25 billion (18.5 percent), and personnel cost of N7.3 billion (5.21 percent). He tied the figures to broader fiscal realities: “We’ve also seen the 2026 call circular as published by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning, which said to all of us, ‘take your entire capital expenditure of last year and bring it to this year because of one or two issues.’ Of course, we are very well aware of what’s going on. There were a lot of debts, and what have you, that the government inherited. Last year was about assuring investor confidence, addressing and servicing the debt, such that now, this year, we believe and we are confident that we’ve made those provisions. We’ve moved our budget from last year, and we’ve brought it into the current year. That has influenced what we have in front of us.”
Chairman of the House Committee on SEDC, Chris Nkwonta, responded positively to the presentation. The Abia lawmaker commended the leadership for a comprehensive development plan and noted that the committee was encouraged by the progress recorded since the commission’s inauguration in February 2025. Nkwonta said members were satisfied with performance so far and expressed confidence that the programmes would accelerate development across the region. The committee adopted the budget proposal and urged sustained implementation to deliver visible outcomes.
Additional initiatives in the plan include investment in grassroots sports infrastructure “to nurture young talents and promote national unity through sports development,” Okoye added. This complements the youth entrepreneurship focus by providing alternative pathways for engagement and talent development.
The SEDC was established following President Tinubu’s assent to the enabling legislation in 2024, after years of advocacy by South-East leaders who highlighted the region’s unique challenges—severe erosion, infrastructure gaps, and industrial decline. Inaugurated in February 2025, the commission drives economic recovery, coordinates large-scale projects, and supports industrial and agricultural development across the five states as part of a national policy to strengthen regional institutions.
Okoye summarised the overarching ambition clearly: “We have a vision to make the South-East a preferred investment hub in the next ten years. We will achieve this through industrialisation, agriculture and technology.” Through the South-East Investment Company Limited, the Project Preparation Facility, demonstration farms, special economic zones, security architecture, and targeted youth programmes, the commission is systematically removing barriers that have limited growth. Private-sector capital is being actively courted for railways, power, ports, and gas pipelines, while aggregation centres and mechanised farming models will transform rural economies. Technology startups and innovation funding will inject dynamism, and coordinated security will provide the stability investors demand.
Every element of the 2026 budget and the ten-year blueprint is calibrated to multiply the regional economy fivefold. Infrastructure investments will connect markets and reduce costs. Agricultural expansion will increase output and create processing industries. Industrial zones will attract manufacturers seeking reliable power and transport. Security measures will lower risk perceptions. Technology and entrepreneurship will harness the demographic dividend. Together, these investments are designed to shift the South-East from an economy estimated at $40 billion today to a $200 billion powerhouse that stands out as an investment destination across Africa.
