Tinubu approves N150bn South-East investment company to drive regional growth

By Kunle Sanni –

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the South-East Investment Company (SEIC), a federally backed initiative aimed at accelerating industrialisation and economic development in Nigeria’s South-East region.

The company, with a projected capital base of over N150 billion, will serve as the investment arm of the South East Development Commission (SEDC). It is designed as a public-private partnership involving state governments in the region, private investors, development finance institutions, and the diaspora.

The announcement was made on Friday in a statement by the Presidency following President Tinubu’s formal presentation of the SEIC’s Certificate of Incorporation at the State House, Abuja.

According to the Presidency, the SEIC will focus on enhancing regional competitiveness through strategic investments in infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and education. Its funding model includes hybrid bonds, equity participation, and callable capital to attract private investment and reduce risk.

“The SEIC is designed to mobilise private capital, unlock regional competitiveness, and fast-track industrialisation in the South-East,” the statement read.

Pilot investments and fundraising are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the company also undergoing regulatory and compliance processes to meet global standards.

At the launch ceremony, Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, and SEDC Managing Director, Mark Okoye, highlighted the initiative’s significance for the region’s economic transformation.

Describing SEIC as a turning point, Okoye said: “This is more than a financial vehicle — it is a bold, long-term strategy to de-risk investments and deliver inclusive growth by bridging the gap between public sector intent and private sector efficiency.”