Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled Invest in Lagos Summit 3.0, the state government’s flagship international investment platform for 2026, in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
The governor disclosed details of the forthcoming summit, scheduled for June 2026, while addressing journalists alongside the Chief Executive Officer of CWEIC, Samantha Cohen, at Lagos House, Marina, on Thursday.
Speaking at the media conference, Sanwo-Olu said Invest Lagos 3.0 was deliberately designed to consolidate Lagos’ position as Africa’s leading subnational gateway for capital flows, trade integration, financial innovation and infrastructure development.
“Our ambition is clear. Lagos must not only attract capital, but it must also structure capital. It must not only host investment conversations, but it must also convert them into deployable pipelines. Invest Lagos 3.0 aligns directly with our long-term development priorities as articulated under the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Development Agenda and the Lagos State Development Plan 2052,” he said.
The governor noted that the previous editions of the summit laid a solid foundation for stronger global engagement.
“Over the past two editions—Invest Lagos 1.0 and 2.0—we have strengthened Lagos’ global investment visibility, catalysed structured engagement with capital providers, and deepened strategic conversations around bankable projects across priority sectors,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
He explained that the 2026 edition would scale the platform further through its partnership with CWEIC, describing the council as a globally respected institution that connects governments, private sector leaders and capital networks across the Commonwealth of Nations.
“This year, we are deliberately scaling the platform further through a strategic partnership with CWEIC, a globally respected institution that connects governments, private sector leaders and capital networks across the Commonwealth of Nations. With this expanded collaboration, we are strengthening our capacity to mobilise global capital, deepen cross-border trade relationships, and position Lagos State as a premier destination for large-scale, transformative investment. It reflects a shared commitment to structured capital mobilisation, disciplined project presentation and measurable transaction outcomes,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu added that beyond attracting capital, the summit was structured to drive sustained private sector investment that would expand gross domestic product and strengthen internally generated revenue for both Lagos State and Nigeria.
According to him, structured investment inflows into productive sectors will generate output, stimulate enterprise growth, deepen value chains, broaden the tax base and reinforce fiscal sustainability.
“Let me state clearly: Invest Lagos 3.0 is not a ceremonial gathering. It is a transaction-focused investment platform built for capital alignment and project conversion. Its architecture is intentional. Its processes are structured. Its outcomes are measurable. Every element of the summit has been carefully designed to support disciplined engagement between project sponsors and capital providers,” the governor said.
He outlined key sectors that would benefit from the structured investment approach.
“Under these frameworks, we are scaling transport infrastructure across road and rail corridors, strengthening logistics and port connectivity, investing in renewable energy systems, expanding digital infrastructure, accelerating housing development, deepening healthcare delivery systems, and building industrial growth corridors that connect production to markets,” he said.
In her remarks, Samantha Cohen described Lagos as an important city in both Nigeria and Africa and expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with the state government.
“Lagos has built something exceptional as a CWEIC partner. The state investment programme enables trade facilitation, and we will be glad to showcase what Lagos has to offer as we jointly deliver a summit where policy meets capital,” she said.
Cohen added that CWEIC would leverage its international network to attract investors to the summit.
“We will bring international investors here through the Commonwealth private sector hub across 56 countries, with 25 partners in Nigeria. We are indeed deeply grateful for the trust and partnership,” she stated.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Bada-Ambrose, said global capital increasingly moves toward jurisdictions that demonstrate credible leadership, institutional clarity, bankable project pipelines, disciplined governance and defined execution frameworks.
“Investment competition now extends beyond national positioning. Subnational governments like Lagos now compete directly by differentiating themselves through governance quality, policy coherence and transaction ecosystem strength. Lagos recognises this structural shift and has positioned itself to compete effectively within it,” she said.
