Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for stronger global investment partnerships, saying Lagos is strategically positioned to serve as a gateway for businesses and investors seeking opportunities across Africa.
Sanwo-Olu made the call while speaking at the Global Africa Business Initiative’s Unstoppable Africa 2026 in New York, where business leaders, investors, policymakers and heads of government gathered to discuss Africa’s economic growth and investment prospects.
The 2026 edition of the event was held on September 20 and 21 at the New York Marriott Marquis, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The governor used the platform to highlight Lagos’ market size, infrastructure needs, entrepreneurial base and strategic location as key opportunities for investors seeking to participate in Africa’s expanding economy.
He said the state’s growing global relevance must translate into tangible benefits for residents through investments in infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, enterprise development and other sectors capable of improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities.
Sanwo-Olu also reaffirmed Lagos’ openness to international capital, strategic partnerships and private-sector participation, stressing the need for investments that deliver measurable economic value across the state.
A key feature of the governor’s presentation was the promotion of Invest Lagos, the flagship investment promotion initiative of the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment.
The initiative was presented to the global audience as part of the state government’s strategy to deepen international investment partnerships and strengthen Lagos’ position as a leading destination for business, trade and investment in Africa.
The engagement followed the Invest Lagos 3.0 summit held in Lagos in June under the theme, “Lagos: The Business Gateway to Africa.”
The summit brought together global investors, policymakers, development institutions and business leaders to explore opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, trade, finance and the creative economy.
It also featured investment showcases and deal-making opportunities aimed at connecting investors with projects across Lagos.
Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, said the ministry would continue to translate Lagos’ investment narrative into sustained engagement with investors, businesses and institutions across global markets.
She described Invest Lagos as a structured mechanism for aligning the state’s investment opportunities with the operational interests of businesses, rather than simply an investment promotion event.
According to her, the initiative covers sectors including manufacturing, technology, trade, energy, finance, agriculture, real estate and the creative economy.
Ambrose-Medebem said the ministry approaches investment facilitation from the perspective of investors and entrepreneurs, positioning it as a proactive enabler rather than merely a regulator.
She added that Invest Lagos prioritises deal-making, investor matchmaking and sector-specific engagement to convert global interest in Lagos into bankable projects, productive partnerships and measurable economic outcomes.
The commissioner said the ministry would build on the momentum generated by Invest Lagos 3.0 by taking Lagos’ investment proposition to strategic international platforms and connecting investors with opportunities in the state’s priority sectors.
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