Summit Plans $500m Investment 
A Business Strategy Consultant, Bassey Essien, has emphasised that stakeholders in the microeconomic sector must cultivate discipline, sacrifice, and knowledge to achieve long-term gains, while pointing out that the government has a role to play in implementing more sustainable policies that would transform operations within the sector.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, where he disclosed plans to address some of the challenges facing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country by the World International Economic Group (WIEG), Essien said despite its contribution to the country’s GDP, outcomes from earlier efforts to a fix some of the challenges facing the sector remain lean.

According to him, despite ongoing economic reforms, many businesses across sectors continue to struggle with access to structured financing, weak investment documentation, compliance gaps, and frequent policy shifts.

He noted that these challenges have limited the ability of many enterprises to attract capital from top-tier banks including private investors.

He said: “In terms of investment readiness, a lot of times people are not ready to invest in knowledge, in the right consultancy that would help them to prepare their proper feasibilities that match financier requirements.

As much as possible, we found out that the enterprises that are actually doing well are the ones who have deep conviction in knowledge and make sacrifices.”

Essien said the forthcoming WIEG Summit in the country is designed to address the challenges facing Nigerian enterprises, particularly MSMEs, in accessing funds.

He said the summit tagged ‘International Investment Summit 2026’ is a private sector-led investment forum that will be held on February 25 and 26 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Oniru Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He added that the summit is expected to attract at least 20 international investors, from Malaysia, Angola and beyond.

Essien noted that the event would feature a structured deal-making session on its second day, allowing multi-sectoral roundtables for agriculture, energy, aviation, finance, and the creative industry.

He also disclosed that a commitment of up to $500 million in potential investments is part of the expected outcomes including job creation, increased investor confidence, stronger cooperative frameworks, and improved access to finance for women-led enterprises.

“The goal is to create a structured pathway from policy to capital and from capital to enterprise growth,” he said.