Babajide Sanwo-Olu launches Lagos investment summit

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled Invest in Lagos Summit 3.0, the state government’s flagship international investment platform for 2026, to be delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).

The governor announced details of the summit, scheduled for June, while addressing journalists alongside CWEIC Chief Executive Officer Samantha Cohen at Lagos House Marina on Thursday.

Sanwo-Olu said Invest Lagos 3.0 was designed to reinforce Lagos’ position as Africa’s leading subnational hub for capital flows, trade integration, financial innovation, and infrastructure development. He noted that the initiative aligns with the state’s long-term development priorities under the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Development Agenda and the Lagos State Development Plan 2052.

According to the governor, previous editions of the summit enhanced Lagos’ global investment profile, promoted structured engagement with capital providers, and advanced discussions around bankable projects in priority sectors. He said the new partnership with CWEIC would further strengthen Lagos’ capacity to mobilise global capital, deepen cross-border trade, and position the state as a destination for large-scale, transformative investment.

Sanwo-Olu emphasised that the summit is structured as a transaction-driven platform rather than a ceremonial event, with clear processes and measurable outcomes aimed at converting investment discussions into deployable projects. He added that sustained private sector investment would help expand economic output, strengthen internally generated revenue, and improve fiscal sustainability for both Lagos State and Nigeria.

He outlined priority areas to include transport infrastructure, logistics and port connectivity, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, housing development, healthcare delivery, and industrial growth corridors linking production centres to markets.

In her remarks, Cohen described Lagos as a key economic centre in Africa and expressed CWEIC’s readiness to support the state’s investment drive. She said the partnership would help attract international investors through the Commonwealth’s private sector network spanning 56 countries, while showcasing Lagos as a competitive destination where policy aligns with capital.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Bada-Ambrose, said global capital increasingly favours jurisdictions with credible leadership, strong institutions, and well-defined execution frameworks. She noted that Lagos has positioned itself to compete effectively at the subnational level by strengthening governance quality, policy coherence, and its investment ecosystem.