The Danish government has expressed keen interest in expanding its investment footprint in Enugu State, citing the state’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and economic transformation.
A delegation of Danish government officials and business leaders, led by the Consul General of the Royal Danish Embassy in Nigeria, Jette Djerrrum, met with Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, on Monday to explore areas of collaboration.
Djerrrum, who also serves as the Head of Trade at the Danish Embassy in Nigeria, said Denmark’s growing interest in Enugu was driven by the state’s shared values and its remarkable progress under Governor Mbah’s leadership.
She noted that Mbah’s speech at the 34th anniversary of German reunification in Lagos last year reinforced Denmark’s confidence in Enugu’s investment climate.
She commended the state’s rapid transformation, saying, “People often focus on negative narratives about Nigeria, but Enugu is proving that there are good stories too. This is a place where transparency, accountability, and efficiency are prioritized.
“We are impressed by the governor’s focus on education, especially the Smart School initiative, the agricultural value chain, waste-to-energy projects, and the expansion of logistics infrastructure, including the international airport and cargo facilities. Things are moving fast here, and we want to be part of it.”
Djerrrum highlighted Denmark’s expertise in sustainable energy, agriculture, and logistics, stating that her country was eager to support Enugu’s development efforts.
She revealed that Danish companies had already begun investing in the state, including the supply of tractors and plans for a new tractor assembly facility.
“The low-hanging fruit for collaboration will be agriculture, which aligns with Enugu’s economic priorities. We also see opportunities in logistics and capacity building. Denmark is known for waste-to-power, wind, and solar energy, and while these transformations take time, we are ready to support Enugu in these areas,” she added.
Governor Mbah welcomed Denmark’s interest in the state, reiterating his administration’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and reducing investment risks.
He described the visit as a significant boost to his government’s plan to grow Enugu’s economy to $30 billion within six years.
“We have already signed an agreement with the Danish company ODK Group for the procurement of tractors, and they are also willing to establish an assembly plant here. But this is just the beginning,” Mbah said.
He emphasized Enugu’s agricultural potential, revealing that the state had secured over 300,000 hectares of land for farming.
“Like Denmark, agriculture is a vital part of our economy, accounting for 40% of our GDP. We are rolling out a Farm Estate initiative across all 260 electoral wards in Enugu to drive large-scale commercial farming.”
Mbah also disclosed plans to establish Special Agro-Processing Zones to support agribusinesses, providing essential infrastructure such as water, roads, electricity, and warehousing.
“In livestock, we have secured $20 million for a major ranch project that will accommodate over 20,000 cows. We are also looking for strategic partners in this sector,” he added.
The governor further outlined investment opportunities in tourism, healthcare, logistics, and aviation, stressing that Enugu was open for global business partnerships.
