By Kayode Olopade
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday declared that Lagos is rapidly positioning itself as Africa’s foremost gateway to global wealth, investment and enterprise, as governments and business leaders intensify efforts to unlock the continent’s vast economic potential.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Invest Lagos 2026 in Victoria Island, Lagos, Shettima described the state as the engine room of Africa’s economic transformation and a strategic destination for investors seeking access to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
The Vice President said Nigeria possesses the demographic advantage, entrepreneurial energy and economic capacity to emerge among the world’s leading economies by 2050, stressing that sustained investments in innovation, infrastructure and human capital would be critical to achieving that ambition.
“Lagos is not merely Nigeria’s commercial capital; it is increasingly becoming the gateway to Africa’s economic future,” Shettima stated, noting that the state has consistently demonstrated resilience and competitiveness in attracting multinational corporations, venture capital, technology firms and foreign direct investment.
According to him, the success of Lagos is rooted in deliberate policy choices, institutional stability and a business-friendly environment that continues to inspire investor confidence despite global economic uncertainties.
The Vice President reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to strengthening partnerships with state governments and the private sector to improve infrastructure, deepen regional trade integration and further enhance the ease of doing business across the country.
Also speaking, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said ongoing economic reforms are laying the foundation for a more competitive and investment-friendly Nigerian economy.
He noted that recent fiscal and tax policy initiatives are already yielding positive signals among local and foreign investors, while creating new opportunities for states to attract capital and stimulate economic growth.
Oyedele maintained that policy consistency, regulatory transparency and fiscal discipline remain crucial to sustaining investor confidence and accelerating economic expansion.
In his remarks, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to making Lagos Africa’s preferred destination for business, innovation and industrial development.
Sanwo-Olu said the state has continued to implement strategic reforms aimed at supporting entrepreneurship, nurturing startups, expanding infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He emphasized that Lagos remains focused on building a resilient and globally competitive economy capable of attracting both domestic and international investments while creating sustainable jobs and opportunities for its growing population.
“Our vision is to build a Lagos that competes with the best cities in the world, where businesses can flourish, innovation can thrive and investors can achieve long-term value,” the governor said.
The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Shirley Botchwey, called on African leaders to deepen regional cooperation by investing in reliable power supply, modern logistics infrastructure and improved security systems.
She argued that stronger economic integration across the continent would unlock significant opportunities for trade, industrialization and job creation, while enabling Africa to compete more effectively in the global economy.
Botchwey further urged governments to harness the continent’s youthful population, technological innovation and entrepreneurial talent as catalysts for sustainable development.
Governors Showcase Investment Opportunities
The conference, themed “Lagos: Business Gateway to Africa, Powering Africa’s Next Era of Trade, Talent and Global Economic Leadership,” attracted policymakers, global investors, business executives, development partners and economic experts from across Africa and beyond.
One of the major highlights of the event was the Governors’ Investment Showcase, where the governors of Lagos State, Abia State, Imo State, Nasarawa State and Plateau State presented investment opportunities across critical sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, technology, mining and tourism.
The presentations underscored growing competition among Nigerian states to attract capital, create jobs and diversify their economies, reinforcing the broader message of the summit that Africa’s next era of prosperity will be driven by innovation, strategic partnerships and investment-led growth.
For many participants, Invest Lagos 2026 was more than an investment conference; it was a bold statement of intent that Lagos is positioning itself not only as Nigeria’s commercial heartbeat but also as a leading gateway to Africa’s next wave of economic leadership and global relevance.
No comments:
Post a Comment