Enugu State Targets $30bn GDP by 2031 with Airport Concession, New Airline

The Enugu State Government has outlined ambitious plans to transform its economy, targeting a GDP growth from $4.4 billion to $30 billion by 2031. Key to this vision are the establishment of a state-owned airline, Enugu Air, and the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

“

So under this government, Peter Mbah and the leadership of the President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the governor had approached the aviation sector to start the process of concessioning this airport standing behind me, the international airport, in alignment with the broader vision for aviation tourism in Enugu State.

According to the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, these initiatives are designed to stimulate tourism, attract significant investments, boost agricultural exports, and solidify Enugu's status as the economic powerhouse of Nigeria's South-East region. Onyia detailed these plans during a media tour of the airport, emphasizing that the projects align with Governor Peter Mbah's broader strategy to leverage tourism, hospitality, agriculture, and private sector investment.

"The context is not just the concessioning. The context is that the governor looked at Enugu as an economic hub where tourism and the hospitality sector could be aligned," Onyia stated. The government projects an influx of three to five million visitors annually, which they believe will catalyze substantial economic growth. The aviation sector is seen as a critical enabler, complementing the tourism and hospitality industries and driving the targeted GDP expansion.

“

The context is not just the concessioning. The context is that the governor looked at Enugu as an economic hub where tourism and the hospitality sector could be aligned.

To ensure accessibility and cater to projected visitor numbers, the state conceived Enugu Air. "If we're expecting them, then we can’t depend on third-party airlines to bring people to Enugu solely based on their schedule," Onyia explained. The state has already acquired six aircraft for phase one of Enugu Air, aiming to provide reliable air transport for visitors and tourists.

“

So we thought if we were expecting three to five million visitors coming to Enugu, which was our projection, and this projection is not just something that we just came up with a number, we’re also looking at how the aviation sector complements our tourism and hospitality space by saying that this is the quantum of revenue of investment that can catalyse the growth towards our GDP because at inception what we had planned was to move the Enugu State GDP from $4.4bn, that His Excellency met it, to $30bn by 2031.

Complementing the aviation push, the government is also focused on revitalizing the state's tourism sector. Plans include developing various tourist centers and attractions, such as the home waterfall, to provide compelling destinations for the expected influx of visitors. This integrated approach aims to create a vibrant economic ecosystem driven by enhanced connectivity and a robust tourism offering.

“

If we’re expecting them, then we can’t depend on third-party airlines to bring people to Enugu solely based on their schedule. That was how the Enugu Air concept came in, and you’ve seen some of our aeroplanes. We have six now, and this is just phase one, bringing in people into Enugu so that when visitors and tourists come to Enugu, they have access to airlines that can bring them in.