The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to attract private capital into Nigeria’s productive sectors, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship through a new investment partnership with European development finance institutions and private-sector investors.

The initiative will take centre stage at an Investment Partnership Lab convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP) in collaboration with the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) Boost Africa Project Team on October 26, 2026, on the sidelines of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.

The event will bring together senior government officials, European development institutions, investors, private-sector operators and development partners to explore how development finance, grants, technical assistance and innovative financing arrangements can unlock investment opportunities across Nigeria’s economy.

A major focus will be Boost Africa, a joint initiative of the EIB and the African Development Bank (AfDB), supported by the European Union, which provides venture capital and technical assistance to innovative African enterprises, particularly businesses led by young people and women.

The initiative has attracted more than €100 million in EIB investment commitments to venture capital funds, supporting businesses in technology, agribusiness, financial services, renewable energy and other high-growth sectors.

Its broader ambition is to mobilise approximately €1 billion in investments across Africa, highlighting the potential of development finance to attract additional private capital and expand funding for businesses that struggle to secure the resources needed to grow.

A statement from the Ministry says the Boost Africa session will feature investment fund managers, beneficiary enterprises and European development institutions discussing the programme’s achievements, lessons and opportunities for sustaining financing for African entrepreneurs.

It said participants will also examine ways to strengthen venture capital markets, expand access to growth capital and technical assistance, and deepen engagement with Nigerian enterprises through relevant European investment initiatives.

According to the statement, “Beyond entrepreneurship financing, the Investment Partnership Lab will showcase integrated investment programmes targeting productive-sector growth, transport and trade infrastructure, and other facilities designed to support economic activity.”

A dedicated panel will examine the commercial viability of prospective investments, including cargo demand, project preparation, regulatory requirements and financing opportunities, with a view to identifying bankable projects capable of attracting investors.

The initiative comes as the Federal Government seeks to translate development cooperation into commercially viable investments that can expand productive capacity, improve logistics, create jobs and support sustainable economic growth.

It also aligns with the objectives of the successor National Development Plan, 2026–2030, and the government’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy.

However, the extent to which the initiative benefits Nigeria will depend on its ability to convert discussions and financing commitments into bankable projects, accessible funding for local enterprises and investments that deliver measurable economic returns.