Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says Lagos is Africa’s foremost investment gateway, offering unparalleled opportunities for trade, innovation, infrastructure development and economic expansion across the continent.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at the opening of the third edition of Invest Lagos Summit 3.0 where government officials, investors, development partners and business leaders gathered to explore opportunities across strategic sectors of the economy.
The governor said Lagos, with over 25 million residents and a rapidly-expanding economy, remained strategically positioned to leverage opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area and global markets.
According to him, sustained investments in transport, technology, agriculture and human capital development have strengthened Lagos’s competitiveness, while major infrastructure projects continue to improve connectivity, productivity and investment attractiveness.
He highlighted achievements including the Blue and Red Rail Lines, ongoing work on Green Line, digital infrastructure expansion and efforts to establish Lagos, as Africa’s leading financial hub.
“Our ambition is to build a human-centred global city where innovation thrives, businesses flourish and opportunities abound for young people seeking to contribute meaningfully to economic development,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor said that Lagos was attracting increasing support from development finance institutions, multilateral organisations and private investors.
He added that strategic partnerships remained critical to achieving long-term economic transformation goals.
Sanwo-Olu said that success would be measured by investments secured, jobs created and lives improved, stressing that the summit was designed to generate tangible outcomes beyond discussions and declarations.
In his remarks, Lord Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), described Lagos as Nigeria’s economic heartbeat and a city capable of leading solutions to emerging global challenges.
Marland said that disruptions in global trade, energy security, food systems and climate resilience required innovative leadership, noting that Nigeria possessed the resources and entrepreneurial capacity needed for progress.
“This is the moment for Lagos, Nigeria and the Commonwealth to demonstrate leadership and provide practical solutions that will shape future economic growth and prosperity,” Marland said.
Earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, described Lagos as Africa’s most dynamic commercial hub and Nigeria’s economic powerhouse.
Ambrose-Medebem said the summit had evolved into one of Africa’s foremost sub-national investment platforms, connecting investors with opportunities spanning infrastructure, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, agriculture and logistics sectors.
She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to maintaining an investor-friendly environment through policy reforms, public-private partnerships and strategic infrastructure investments designed to promote sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
“Lagos is open for business, partnerships and investments.
“Opportunities, talents, leadership and market are here to support transformative ventures and shared prosperity,” Ambrose-Medebem said.
The summit attracted governors, diplomats, financiers, development institutions, corporate executives and investors from Nigeria and abroad, providing a platform for partnerships expected to accelerate economic development.
Invited governors are Dr Alex Otti of Abia, Sen. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Dr Agbu Kefas of Taraba, and Mr Abdullahi Sule of Nassarawa State.
They had a panel section where they shared ideas, challenges and success stories.
