Economic Integration: Shettima Unveils 25-Year Development Roadmap for South East
VP Shettima Launches South East Vision 2050 Blueprint for Regional Economic Growth
Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially launched the "South East Vision 2050" blueprint, a comprehensive 25-year strategic roadmap designed to transform the economic landscape of Nigeria’s South East region. The launch took place in Enugu on 5 February 2026, signaling a major push for regional integration, industrialization, and sustainable infrastructure development.
A Long-Term Strategy for Regional Integration
The Vision 2050 document serves as a collaborative framework developed by the five states of the South East Enugu, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo. It aims to harmonize economic policies, improve the ease of doing business across state borders, and leverage the region's entrepreneurial strengths to foster a unified economic bloc.
Speaking at the unveiling, Vice President Shettima emphasized that the Federal Government remains committed to supporting regional initiatives that align with national development goals. He noted that the blueprint is not just a document for governance but a "manifesto for prosperity" that seeks to bridge the infrastructure gap and harness the human capital potential of the South East.
Key Pillars of the Blueprint
The Vision 2050 strategy focuses on several critical sectors intended to drive high-level growth over the next two and a half decades:
Infrastructure and Connectivity: Prioritizing regional rail networks, improved road corridors, and the expansion of energy infrastructure to support industrial hubs.
Industrialization and Trade: Strengthening the manufacturing base, particularly in hubs like Aba, Nnewi, and Onitsha, to boost exports and job creation.
Human Capital Development: Investing in vocational training and digital skills to align the region’s workforce with global economic trends.
Security and Stability: Establishing a secure environment essential for attracting both domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI).
Collaboration Between Federal and State Authorities
The Vice President was joined by the governors of the South East states and prominent traditional and business leaders. The host governor, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, highlighted that the vision seeks to move the region away from fragmented development toward a coordinated approach that maximizes economies of scale.
According to Governor Mbah, the blueprint includes specific benchmarks for monitoring progress, ensuring that successive administrations remain committed to the long-term objectives of the regional roadmap.
Economic Outlook and Implementation
Financial experts and policymakers attending the launch described the South East Vision 2050 as a necessary step toward making the region a major player in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By focusing on "soft" infrastructure such as legal frameworks for regional trade alongside physical projects, the blueprint aims to lower the cost of production and increase the competitiveness of South East businesses.
The Federal Government, through the Vice President, assured stakeholders that it would facilitate necessary interventions in power and security to ensure the blueprint’s success. As implementation begins, the focus shifts to the mobilization of private sector capital to fund the ambitious infrastructure projects outlined in the 25-year plan.
