The South East Business Growth Conference has highlighted the importance of collaboration towards creating inclusive economic development in Nigeria’s Southeast region.

The conference, held in Ebonyi State, aimed to unlock the region’s business potential through entrepreneurship and strategic collaboration.

Hosted by the Ike-Elechi Ogba Foundation, the event spotlighted initiatives aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs and integrating traditional values into modern business practices.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of Ebonyi State University, Professor Ike-Elechi Ogba, in a statement, emphasised the foundation’s focus on reviving the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo people, noting that the initiative was firmly rooted in cultural identity.

He reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to economic development through community-rooted solutions. He explained that the foundation deliberately aligned its mission with policy efforts to foster growth in the region.

“As a foundation, we made the decision to support our government and our people by integrating economic growth into our policy,” Professor Ogba said.

Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance, Professor Leonard Uguru, lauded the initiative, saying it is the first organisation in the Southeast to connect cultural heritage and entrepreneurship.

Also speaking at the event, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyia, urged a shift in youth priorities from politics to enterprise.

“We have one major business in Ebonyi — politics. But if we focus on entrepreneurship, the future of our youths is very bright,” he stated.

CEO of the Foundation, Mrs. Chioma Ike-Elechi Ogba, sought collective effort toward regional transformation, using participants to help in building the future of the South East.