Lagos set to attract Billions as Invest Lagos 2.0 kicks off with global stakeholders

The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with Sterling One Foundation, is set to host the second edition of Invest Lagos, scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, 2025, as a prelude to the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS).

The ASIS will take place from Thursday, July 10 to Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom and Eko Convention Centre, both located at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Daily proceedings will commence at 8:00 a.m.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose, announced that both events are being organised in partnership with the United Nations System in Nigeria, Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Sterling Bank, and Arise News.

She described the summit’s theme, “Scaling Action: Bold Solutions Towards Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy”, as a deliberate reflection of Lagos State’s aspirations outlined in the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP 2052) and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda.

“This summit symbolises our deliberate transition from aspiration to realisation, from potential to performance, and from dialogue to measurable development,” Ambrose said.

“It is a strategic platform to mobilise purposeful partnerships and attract visionary investors, industry leaders, global development partners, and innovative policymakers.”

A key highlight of the summit will be the introduction of dedicated Deal Rooms, where senior officials from relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will present targeted investment pitches to both local and international investors.

These curated sessions are designed to drive collaboration and unlock critical investments for Lagos’ continued growth and inclusive prosperity.

Ambrose identified priority sectors for strategic investment, including infrastructure development, sustainable transportation, digital innovation, renewable energy, healthcare, creative and entertainment industries, agribusiness, real estate, and the blue economy.

“We aim to explore creative financing models, stimulate entrepreneurship, and drive technological advancements that will position Lagos as the heartbeat of Africa’s economy,” she said.

She also announced the upcoming launch of the Lagos State Industrial Policy (LSIP) 2025–2030, which is expected to serve as a transformative framework for repositioning the state’s industrial landscape, enhancing productivity, and boosting global competitiveness.

Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasised the role of partnerships in achieving the SDGs, particularly Goal 17 on collaboration.

“Lagos executes its vision sustainably, and strategic partnerships like this accelerate our progress toward the Goals,” she noted.

Speaking on the summit’s broader impact, Mrs Peju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, revealed that the 2024 edition of the Lagos Investment Roundtable generated over $100 million in impact investments, including a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Lagos and the Abu Dhabi Ports Authority.

She stated that this year’s summit, themed “Scaling Action: Bold Solutions for Climate Resilience and Policy Innovation,” will aim to surpass previous outcomes.

“2025 marks the halfway point in the UN’s Decade of Action. With just five years to 2030, we are intensifying efforts to attract more investments into scalable and impactful solutions,” she said.