Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has assured local and international investors of an enabling environment underpinned by improved security and massive infrastructure development.

Mr Mbah gave the assurance at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) 2025 Meet the Governor Series on Thursday in Lagos.

He said his administration had reduced crime in the state by more than 80 per cent through huge investments in security, while ongoing infrastructure projects were easing the movement of people and goods.

He added that about 70 per cent of paved city roads had been accomplished to ease movements for businesses and residents, while new schools, estates, and transport systems were developed alongside agro-industrial hubs and tourism projects.

He noted that four major tourism sites were under construction, alongside the establishment of the state’s integrated livestock hub.

Mr Mbah said Enugu was working to grow its economy from 4.4 million dollars to 30 million dollars in eight years, achieve zero per cent poverty rate, and become the premier destination for business and tourism in Nigeria.

“Feasibility studies had been concluded in key sectors to attract investors, especially in power generation, leveraging the state’s clean coal deposits.

“My government would continue to partner with the private sector to clear hurdles to investment and drive sustainable growth,” he said.

British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, who spoke on Nigeria’s importance to the United Kingdom, stated that both countries shared a dynamic, long-standing, and multi-dimensional trade relationship.

Mr Baxter revealed that the trade relationship was currently valued at £7.9 billion, the highest figure since records began, asserting that the UK is the biggest investor in Nigeria, accounting for 65 per cent of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows.

He said the UK was keen to see greater diversification of Nigerian exports.

He stated that through the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and its Trade for Development programme, the UK supports Nigeria’s export growth.

“Over 3,000 products,  including cocoa, plantain, olive oil, tomatoes, yam, shrimp, and cashew nuts- important to Enugu, can enter the UK tariff-free.

“Both the UK and Nigeria are open for business, and we are confident that our partnership will continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead,” he said.

Abimbola Olashore, president, NBCC, said the event was designed to create a living bridge where vision met enterprise and where policies could be tested against the realities of business between government and private sector.

He noted that the platform had not only deepened dialogue but also generated concrete opportunities, opportunities that had translated into investments, partnerships, and new markets.

Mr Olashore noted that in two years, under the leadership of the governor of Enugu, the state had become a state on the move; a reform-driven, investment-ready, business-friendly destination.

“We have seen bold steps in digital governance, in infrastructure expansion, and in creative public–private partnerships.

“Each of these signals a state that is not waiting for the future, but actively shaping it,” he said.

Mr Olashore added that the NBCC saw clear room for UK–Enugu partnerships to expand trade and market access for goods and services, driving technology transfer and innovation exchange across industries.

“The conversations that begin in this room can translate into bold investments, into new jobs, into stronger institutions, and into opportunities that extend well beyond the boundaries of Enugu State,” he said.

(NAN)