Tinubu Launches N150 Billion South-East Investment Company to Boost Industrialisation, Attract Private Capital

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the South-East Investment Company (SEIC), a landmark federal initiative with a projected capital base of over N150 billion aimed at accelerating industrialisation, job creation, and private sector-led growth in Nigeria’s South-East region.

Announced Friday via the official handle of the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the SEIC will function as the investment arm of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and is expected to serve as a catalyst for regional transformation and inclusive development.

Initially structured as a wholly owned subsidiary of the SEDC, the SEIC will transition into a public-private partnership (PPP), welcoming capital from state governments, diaspora investors, private enterprises, and development finance institutions.

The company will channel investments into critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, entrepreneurship, and industrial clusters, aligning with national development priorities and unlocking the region’s economic potential.

According to the Presidency, SEIC will mobilise resources using hybrid bonds, equity participation, and callable capital structures, creating a robust framework for sustainable financing and investor confidence.

Pilot fundraising activities and initial investments are projected to commence by Q4 2025, setting the stage for strategic regional transformation driven by private sector efficiency and public policy alignment.

Speaking at the State House in Abuja, where the Certificate of Incorporation was officially presented, the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, and SEDC Managing Director, Mr. Mark Okoye, praised the development as a historic step for economic decentralisation and planning.

“The SEIC represents a bold step forward in regional development. It is more than a financial vehicle, it is a long-term strategy to unlock private capital, de-risk investment, and deliver sustainable economic growth for the South-East,” said Okoye.

Inspired by the legacy of the Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC) under Dr. Michael Okpara, the SEIC aims to rekindle that momentum by adapting legacy economic models to today’s realities.

The Presidency further noted that the SEIC will adhere to global regulatory and compliance standards to ensure operational integrity and investor protection.