Global investors in focus as Lagos hosts investment summit

The Lagos State Government is set to host over 1,000 delegates from Commonwealth nations and global investment communities at the forthcoming Invest in Lagos 3:0 Summit.

Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, who is also the co-chairman, Organising Committee while speaking at a press conference ahead of the summit scheduled for June 8 and 9, said the summit aims to deepen investor confidence, attract fresh domestic and foreign investments and position Lagos as Africa’s preferred hub for business and trade.

According to her, the summit will build on the achievements of previous editions with stronger global participation and clearer implementation plans.

“Invest Lagos 3.0 will provide a structured platform for innovators, technology founders and emerging businesses to showcase solutions capable of transforming governance, commerce and productivity.”

The summit is being organised in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).

Ambrose-Medebem described the summit as an economic platform for policy dialogue, capital mobilisation, business matchmaking and investor engagement, noting that the initiative has continued to strengthen Lagos’ reputation as Nigeria’s commercial centre and one of Africa’s leading investment destinations.

She added that the second edition of the summit attracted international business delegations, trade missions and investment agencies from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, while generating an investment portfolio valued over N800 billion across eight priority sectors.

The commissioner said that participating governors would present investment opportunities in their states directly to investors through the Governor’s Investment Showcase Panel with discussions focused on infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, technology, the blue economy, tourism, energy, logistics, financial services, real estate and SME development.

The commissioner speaking on the previous edition said, “ it produced a curated investment portfolio in excess of 800 billion naira across eight priority sectors projected to support approximately 80,000 jobs over a three to five year horizon.”

The commissioner said this year’s theme, ‘Lagos; Business Gateway to Africa’, reflects the strategic position of Lagos in the continent’s economy.

Meanwhile, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Co-chair of the Technical Programmes added that the summit will feature a tour around Leeki free zone, deep seaport port, Dangote refinery showcasing entrepreneurship and the role of Lagos in economic development while showcasing Lagos as a modern connected smart city pushing Africa to the world.

According to her, the summit is expected to attract about 2,000 delegates from more than 50 Commonwealth countries, adding that the organisers plan to deploy technology-driven systems, including an AI-powered dashboard, to improve participation and coordination during the conference.

The commissioner however described Lagos as a key economic hub connecting Africa to global markets, noting that the state’s growing infrastructure, innovation ecosystem, maritime assets and large consumer market continue to attract global interest.

“With a GDP ranked among the largest city economies in Africa and a population exceeding 23 million people, Lagos remains uniquely positioned as the preferred destination for investment, manufacturing, finance, technology and enterprise development.”