NEXIM plans South-East regional headquarters in Enugu, backs Mbah’s export drive

…Bank, Enugu govt plan export summit, financing framework for industrial projects

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

…State unveils seven investment proposals worth up to $328m

The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank) has reportedly proposed establishing a regional headquarters in Enugu State as part of a planned partnership with the state government to promote industrial development, expand non-oil exports and attract private-sector investment.

The proposal emerged from a strategic partnership meeting between the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Abubakar Abba Bello, and a delegation from the Enugu State Government led by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Investment Strategy and Public Relations, Prince Humphrey Onyima.

The meeting, held at NEXIM House, Abuja, on October 27, 2026, also featured discussions on a proposed South-East Export Enlightenment Summit, a joint export-development framework and financing opportunities for seven investment projects presented by the state.

According to a report issued by the Office of the Special Adviser, Bello commended Governor Peter Mbah’s economic reform agenda, noting that the state’s infrastructure investments and business-environment reforms could help attract private capital and stimulate non-oil export growth.

He reportedly stressed the importance of policy consistency in sustaining investor confidence, particularly for long-term investments in industrial parks, manufacturing clusters and export infrastructure.

The NEXIM chief also welcomed developments in the state’s aviation infrastructure, including the cargo airport upgrade and Enugu Air connectivity, describing them as relevant to the development of export-oriented businesses.

Enugu presents $328m investment pipeline

Presenting the state’s proposals, Onyima said the government was seeking a structured institutional partnership with NEXIM Bank to translate its economic reforms and infrastructure investments into commercially viable projects.

He outlined initiatives aimed at improving the business environment, including the operations of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority, ESIDA, the establishment of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, ESERC, digital land administration and measures to facilitate fibre-optic deployment across the state’s 260 wards.

The presentation also highlighted investments in New Enugu City, the International Conference Centre, the Presidential Hotel, smart schools, primary healthcare facilities, CNG-powered mass transit and other infrastructure projects.

The state’s broader economic ambition is to grow its estimated $4.4 billion economy to $30 billion, with industrialisation, technology, agriculture and non-oil exports expected to drive growth.

To support the target, the government presented seven proposed investment projects with a combined estimated value of between $150 million and $328 million for possible structuring and financing support.

They include the Isi-Uzo Cashew Processing and Agro-Industrial Park, estimated at $25 million to $50 million; a limestone and low-carbon building materials park, valued at $30 million to $70 million; and an embedded power project for Emene Industrial Park, estimated at $20 million to $40 million.

The other proposals are a technology village and global business services centre, valued at $15 million to $28 million; an integrated water, wastewater and circular economy project; a technical and vocational education academy linked to smart schools; and sustainable housing and infrastructure development in New Enugu City.

The projects are proposed to operate through public-private partnerships and special-purpose vehicles, with state-provided land and infrastructure expected to support project development and commercial revenues serving as potential repayment sources.

The proposals are, however, subject to further assessment, financial structuring and the relevant approvals.

South-East export summit planned for December

The meeting also considered plans for a South-East Export Enlightenment Summit in Enugu during the first week of December 2026.

The proposed summit is expected to bring together existing and prospective exporters from across the region to explore access to export financing, export credit insurance, direct lending, documentation support and markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

According to the meeting report, the event will also examine export aggregation models that could help smallholder farmers and small businesses overcome supply-chain challenges and access larger markets.

The discussions reportedly included opportunities for cashew production and processing in Isi-Uzo and the proposed N100 billion UPPL palm partnership.

If properly structured, the initiatives could help connect agricultural producers with processing facilities, commercial buyers and export markets, while creating opportunities for employment and increased foreign-exchange earnings.

NEXIM proposes regional office

The proposed regional headquarters is expected to strengthen the bank’s presence in the South-East and improve businesses’ access to export-financing services.

The Enugu State Government reportedly pledged its support for the proposed facility.

Bello also introduced NEXIM’s One State, One Export initiative, which seeks to broaden access to export financing beyond established commercial centres.

Enugu’s potential in cashew, palm produce, limestone, other solid minerals and technology-enabled services was highlighted as an opportunity to expand the state’s participation in international trade.

The meeting further identified two projects for initial action within 90 days: the Isi-Uzo Cashew Processing and Agro-Industrial Park, with emphasis on validating potential off-takers, and the Emene Industrial Park embedded power project, aimed at improving electricity supply to industrial businesses.

Onyima also proposed a five-pillar partnership covering the establishment of a joint export desk at ESIDA, project structuring, export corridors and MSME integration, climate-finance mobilisation, and quarterly export-readiness clinics.

NEXIM Bank’s legal department is expected to prepare a memorandum of understanding for submission to the state government ahead of a proposed governor-level engagement.

Implementation key to economic gains

The proposed partnership comes as the Mbah administration seeks to reposition Enugu from a consumption-driven economy towards production, industrialisation and export-led growth.

However, the extent of the partnership’s impact will depend on the completion of the proposed agreements, access to financing, investor participation and the successful implementation of the projects.

The proposed regional headquarters, export summit and investment framework could provide a platform for strengthening the South-East’s export capacity if the plans are translated into concrete investments.

The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts and photographs, according to the report from the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment Strategy and Public Relations.