Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has announced Invest Lagos 3.0, the state government’s flagship international investment platform for 2026, aimed at accelerating structured capital mobilisation and cross-border trade.

Sanwo-Olu made the announcement at a news briefing at Lagos House Marina, saying the summit is scheduled to kick off from 9th to 10th June.

He said the forthcoming summit would consolidate the position of Lagos state Lagos as Africa’s leading sub-national gateway for investment inflows and financial integration.

According to him, previous editions of the platform significantly strengthened Lagos’ global investment visibility and facilitated structured engagements with capital providers across critical sectors.

In his words, Invest Lagos 3.0 represents a deliberate scaling of our global engagement and transactional depth, saying in the past editions, we strengthened our global investment feasibility and deepened strategic conversations around bankable projects.

“This year, we are elevating the platform into a more structured, transaction-focused investment marketplace,” he said.

The governor disclosed that the state had entered into a strategic partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council to enhance global capital mobilisation and strengthen trade relations across Commonwealth nations.

“This partnership reflects our alignment with globally respected institutions that connect governments, private sector leaders and capital market operators.

“Through this expanded collaboration, we are strengthening our capacity to mobilise capital, deepen cross-border trade relations and position Lagos and indeed Nigeria as a primary destination for transformative large-scale investment,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu attributed growing international confidence in Lagos to the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, noting improvements in macroeconomic stability, foreign direct investment inflows, foreign reserves and inflation moderation.

“All the successes recorded in the last 12 months have reinforced investor confidence.

“We have seen greater macroeconomic stability, improved foreign direct investments and reforms that have stabilised key sectors of the economy.

“These developments have encouraged global institutions to see Nigeria and Lagos as investment destinations of choice,” he said.

The governor described Invest Lagos 3.0 as more than a ceremonial event but a transactional investment platform built for capital alignment and measurable outcomes.

“Our mission is clear. Lagos must not only attract capital; we must structure capital effectively.

“We must not only host investment conversations; we must convert them into deployable project pipelines that generate measurable economic outputs,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said the summit would host no fewer than 500 high-level delegates.

The Delegates include representatives of global institutions, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions, multilateral agencies and senior public sector leaders across the Commonwealth region.

He added that the summit would pursue four strategic objectives, including advancing discussions on the proposed Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC) by showcasing investment-ready projects, facilitating structured investment matchmaking and securing tangible commitments.

On the LIFC initiative, he noted that discussions had received presidential backing and were progressing steadily, following high-level engagements with public and private sector stakeholders.

“We believe the LIFC is on course and will further enhance Lagos’ competitiveness as an international financial hub,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said the summit would showcase bankable projects across transport infrastructure, energy systems, logistics, digital economy, urban development, healthcare, housing and industrial growth.

He added that curated deal rooms would be established to facilitate direct engagement between project sponsors and capital providers, leading to Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), formal commitments and clearly defined implementation pathways.

“These structured investment inflows will stimulate growth, deepen value chains, broaden our tax base and reinforce fiscal sustainability at both state and national levels,” he said.

The governor noted that Lagos, with a population of about 25 million and a GDP comparable to several national economies, remained Africa’s most dynamic urban economy and a strategic gateway to West African markets.

He also referenced Lagos’ recognition as the country’s most competitive sub-national for ease of doing business by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

He attributed the achievement to reforms in land administration, taxation, digital service delivery and trade logistics.

Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustained investments in road networks, rail systems, housing, healthcare, renewable energy and innovation ecosystems.

He invited investors, development partners and financial institutions to participate fully in the summit.

“Invest Lagos 3.0 is a platform for transformation.

“It is a gateway for structured capital, a catalyst for sustainable prosperity and a foundation for broad-based economic expansion anchored on private sector growth.

“The future of investment in Africa is being shaped here in Lagos,” he said.

The governor announced that Invest Lagos 3.0 would hold on June 9 and June 10 at Eko Hotel and Suites Convention Centre, Lagos.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folasade Bada-Ambrose, said Lagos has evolved since the previous editions of the summit.

Similarly the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Samantha Cohen, emphasised the summit’s focus on measurable outcomes, job creation and enhanced capital flows into productive sectors of the Lagos economy.

They assured stakeholders that the platform would prioritise investment conversion, structured financing and sustainable economic impact for Lagos residents.