South East Development Commission Unveils 10-Year Roadmap for Regional Transformation

The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has unveiled a 10-year roadmap aimed at transforming Nigeria's South East region into a leading investment hub by 2035. Launched with support from the United Nations Development Programme, the commission's vision is to make the region the preferred investment destination in Africa.

The roadmap outlines five strategic objectives, including fostering collaboration with state governments, the private sector, and development partners to achieve a $200 billion economy by 2035. This growth is to be driven by key sectors such as agriculture, industrialization, the creative economy, and tourism. The commission also plans to pursue high-impact projects in infrastructure, energy, and technology.

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to position the South East as the preferred investment destination in Africa by 2025

Public feedback, gathered from social media, heavily influenced the roadmap's priorities. A significant 46 percent of respondents favored the construction of a regional railway, followed by a gas pipeline (32 percent), a sea/river port (14 percent), and federal highway projects (8 percent). The commission has engaged with South East Governors to align its mandate with state development agendas and collaborate on priority projects, ensuring consistency with the national "Renewed Hope Agenda."

Discussions with the organized private sector have identified key drivers for accelerated industrialization. The SEDC's plan includes supporting existing industrial park projects and developing a long-term regional development strategy that clearly defines the roles of state governments, the commission, the private sector, and development partners.

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to drive sustainable development, economic growth and unity in South East, through strategic investments and empowerment initiatives