Sanwo-Olu launches invest Lagos 3.0, aiming to attract major global investments
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, has unveiled Invest Lagos 3.0, the state’s flagship international investment platform for 2026, designed to deepen capital inflows, expand cross-border trade, and accelerate structured project financing across key sectors.
The announcement was made Thursday during a press briefing at Lagos House Marina, with the summit scheduled for June 9–10 at Eko Hotel and Suites Convention Centre.
Sanwo-Olu described the platform as a strategic step to cement Lagos’ position as Africa’s leading sub-national hub for investment.
“Invest Lagos 3.0 scales up our global engagement, turning investment dialogues into actionable, bankable projects,” he said, noting that prior editions had enhanced Lagos’ international visibility and facilitated meaningful engagements with global investors.
The governor highlighted a new partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, aimed at boosting capital mobilisation and strengthening trade links with Commonwealth countries.
“This collaboration allows us to tap into respected global networks that connect governments, private sector leaders, and capital markets,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He attributed rising investor confidence in Lagos to macroeconomic reforms under President Bola Tinubu, citing improvements in foreign direct investment, foreign reserves, inflation moderation, and overall economic stability.
“Invest Lagos 3.0 is not a ceremonial event; it is a transactional investment marketplace,” the governor stressed.
“We aim to structure capital effectively, convert investment discussions into deployable projects, and ensure measurable economic outputs.”
The summit is expected to host over 500 high-level delegates, including representatives from global institutions, sovereign wealth funds, multilateral agencies, and senior public sector officials from across the Commonwealth.
Key objectives include advancing discussions on the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), showcasing investment-ready projects, facilitating structured matchmaking between investors and project sponsors, and securing tangible financial commitments.
Sanwo-Olu revealed that the summit will present projects in transport infrastructure, energy, logistics, urban development, healthcare, housing, digital economy, and industrial growth, with dedicated deal rooms to enable direct engagement, MoUs, and implementation roadmaps.
He emphasised that these structured investments would strengthen Lagos’ economic ecosystem, broaden the tax base, and enhance fiscal sustainability at both the state and national levels.
With a population of approximately 25 million and a GDP comparable to several countries, Lagos remains Africa’s most dynamic urban economy and a gateway to West Africa.
The State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Folasade Bada-Ambrose, and CEO of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Samantha Cohen, underscored the summit’s focus on measurable outcomes, sustainable capital deployment, and job creation.
They affirmed that Invest Lagos 3.0 will prioritise investment conversion, structured financing, and meaningful economic impact for Lagos residents.
