South East Nigeria has a rich geography and comparatively large demography. It consists of five component States – Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. The states are very contiguous with a combined population of about 40 million people. The South East is bounded by the River Niger on the West, the riverine Niger Delta in the South, the North Central States in the North and the Cross River in the East. It is divided between the Cross-Niger transition forest ecoregions in the South and Guinea Savanna Forest in the North. The large cities in the South East include Enugu, Aba, Onitsha, Owerri, Umuahia, Nnewi, Abakaliki, Awka, Nsukka, Afikpo and Orlu.

The predominantly homeland of the Igbo ethnic groups is known for agriculture, trade, commerce and small/medium scale manufacturing activities. The region is also rich in solid minerals - including crude oil, natural gas, bauxite, iron ore, sandstones, lignite, clay, coal, tin and columbite.