Invest NI has previously faced criticism over the level of inward investment in the north west.
An independent review led by Sir Michael Lyons in 2023 found “profound divisions” at the top of Invest NI were having a damaging impact on the organisation.
In 2025, Strabane business leader Kieran Kennedy resigned from the board of Invest NI after alleging discrimination against the north west.
In July 2026, Invest NI gave a presentation to Derry City and Strabane District Council, which provided a breakdown of the organisation’s performance across all 11 council areas since 2021.
The figures from 2021–22 to 2025–26 showed a significant disparity between Belfast and Derry City and Strabane.
Belfast recorded 8,733 new jobs, almost half of the 17,932 recorded across Northern Ireland, compared with 1,176 in Derry City and Strabane.
Speaking earlier this year, Aeidin McCarter, who was announced as Invest NI’s head of regional business for the north west in May, admitted “mistakes have been made” in the past but regional balance is now “front and centre” for the organisation.