The Lagos State Government said Invest in Lagos Summit 3.0 would deepen investor confidence, attract fresh domestic and foreign investments and 2position Lagos as Africa’s preferred gateway for business and trade.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the summit scheduled for June 8 and 9, yesterday, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment and the co-chairman, Organising Committee, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said the event would build on the achievements of previous editions with stronger global participation and clearer implementation plans.

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.

According to her, 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.

“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,” she said.

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

“With a population in excess of 23 million, a GDP that ranks among the largest city economies on the continent, expanding infrastructure, a vibrant innovation ecosystem and one of the busiest seaports in Africa, Lagos State remains uniquely positioned as the preferred destination for investment,” she added.

She said the two-day summit would feature keynote speeches, plenary sessions, sector-focused investment dialogues, executive roundtables, exhibitions, networking sessions and investment matchmaking engagements.

Among dignitaries expected at the summit are Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Chair of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Lord Marland, and Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.

She added that participating governors would present investment opportunities in their states directly to investors through the Governor’s Investment Showcase Panel.

The commissioner said discussions would focus on infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, technology, the blue economy, tourism, energy, logistics, financial services, real estate and SME development.

She also stressed that the summit would place strong emphasis on youth enterprise and innovation.

“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,” she said.

Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Sam Egube, said Lagos has continue to invest in infrastructure and human capital despite global economic challenges.

“There is no better place to host one of the most consequential investment summits the African continent will see than the city of Lagos,” he said.

Egube added that the summit demonstrates Lagos’ readiness for business through its partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and the private sector.

“This is a big partnership and this is signalling that this is what Lagos stands for,” he said.

Co-chair of the Technical Programmes Committee, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, said the summit is expected to attract about 2,000 delegates from more than 50 Commonwealth countries.

She said the organisers plans to deploy technology-driven systems, including an AI-powered dashboard, to improve participation and coordination during the conference.

Akerele-Ogunsiji also disclosed that over 400 foreign delegates would embark on guided visits to major industrial and infrastructure projects in Lagos, including the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery, Dangote Fertiliser Plant and the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

“We want to showcase Lagos as a modern connected and future-forward smart city,” she said.

Country Director of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) in Nigeria, Obinna Anyawu, said the organisation was fully collaborating with Lagos to deliver a successful summit.