Lagos State is set to welcome the largest assembly of foreign investors from Commonwealth countries in June, following a strategic partnership between the State Government and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
The collaboration was formalized on Thursday at a joint press conference held at the State House, Marina, where Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and CWEIC Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Samantha Cohen, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the 2026 Lagos Trade and Investment Summit, branded “Invest in Lagos 3.0.”
Sanwo-Olu described the summit as more than a ceremonial gathering, highlighting its design as a structured, investment-focused platform to connect project sponsors with capital providers.
“Invest Lagos 3.0 is not going to be a ceremonial gathering. It is expected to be a transaction-focused investment platform built for capital alignment and project conversion. Every element of the Summit has been carefully designed to support disciplined engagement between project sponsors and capital providers,” the Governor said.
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The two-day summit, scheduled to hold at the Eko Hotels Convention Centre, Victoria Island, is expected to host between 500 and 600 delegates, including global institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions, multinational corporations, structured finance specialists, and senior public sector officials.
Sanwo-Olu said the partnership would strengthen Lagos’ capacity to mobilize global capital, deepen cross-border trade, and position the state as a premier destination for transformative investment.
“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 added.
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He further emphasised support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which account for more than 70 per cent of Lagos’ economic activity.
“Our investment strategy is designed not only to attract large institutional capital, but also to catalyse scalable private sector participation across value chains where MSMEs operate and expand,” the Governor said.
Cohen highlighted Nigeria’s strategic position within the Commonwealth network, noting that Lagos stands to benefit from shared legal systems, language, and trusted business relationships, offering up to 21 per cent cost advantage for investors.
“LTIS 2026 aligns directly with Lagos State’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda and the Lagos State Development Plan 2052 across infrastructure expansion and urban mobility, financial services deepening, trade facilitation and AfCFTA integration, energy security and industrial development, innovation, technology and human capital development,” Cohen said.
She also noted that the summit would feature plenary sessions, business roundtables, a Deal Room, closed-door CEO meetings with the Governor, networking dinners, and site visits.
Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Banda-Ambrose, described the collaboration as a “defining moment” in Lagos’ growth journey.
“Global capital is increasingly gravitating toward jurisdictions that demonstrate credible leadership, institutional clarity, bankable pipelines, disciplined governance, and defined execution frameworks. Lagos recognises this structural shift and has positioned itself to compete effectively within it,” she said.
The joint press conference followed a courtesy visit by the CWEIC delegation, led by Cohen and accompanied by Country Chairman, Olasupo Shasore
