Enugu, Nigeria, 03 February 2026 - Enugu State and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing a bold partnership aimed at unlocking the state’s full economic and social potential. The agreement signals a shared commitment to transform Enugu into a $30 billion economy within the next eight years by investing in people, infrastructure, and institutions.

The partnership will focus on accelerating Enugu’s development priorities across health, education, energy, digital transformation, tourism, trade, and innovation. It will leverage technical assistance, innovative financing solutions, and integrated project implementation to create sustainable growth, improve service delivery, and expand opportunities for farmers, young innovators, women, and entrepreneurs across the state.

Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, UNDP Nigeria’s Resident Representative, emphasized the transformative potential of the agreement: “We are immensely grateful to the Government of Enugu for entrusting UNDP as a partner in this ambitious journey. This partnership anchors Enugu State into UNDP Nigeria’s Integrated Smart States Programme (ISSP), a programmatic architecture that enables states to translate political priorities into investment-ready portfolios. Ms. Attafuah further added, “Together, we will help accelerate Enugu’s economic potential and ensure that investments in health, education, energy, tourism, and innovation directly improve the lives of communities, small businesses, and young innovators across the state.”

H.E Governor Peter Mbah described the MoU signing as a milestone that would help the State administration to accomplish its vision and promises to the people of Enugu, promising transparency and accountability. Governor Mbah said: “This is an important milestone in our relationship with UNDP. During our campaign for office, when we laid our blueprint for the people of Enugu State, we made our total commitment to eradicating poverty in the state. “We made a commitment to achieve a zero-poverty headcount index in the state. We recognise that this would happen through collaboration and through partnership, which is why what is happening here today is of immense importance to us.”

The partnership establishes a framework for strategic cooperation that includes supporting the implementation of Enugu’s priority development initiatives, strengthening digital systems, institutional foresight, and planning capabilities, and mobilizing public and private financing to unlock high-impact, bankable projects. Climate resilience and environmental sustainability are central to the partnership, ensuring that development gains are inclusive, sustainable, and long-lasting.

With this partnership, Enugu State and UNDP are setting a new standard for regional development in Nigeria, one that translates bold vision into concrete actions that generate tangible benefits for communities and catalyze innovation-driven growth.