Lagos to host Invest Summit 2.0 July 9

The Lagos state government has announced plans to host Invest Summit 2.0 in conjunction with Sterling One Foundation on Wednesday.

The event was announced by the Lagos state ministry of commerce, cooperatives, trade and investment (MCCTI) on Monday.

The MCCTI said the event serves as a pre-event for the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS), starting on July 10 till 11 at the Grand Ballroom and Eko Convention Centre, respectively, in Lagos.

Folashade Ambrose, the commissioner for commerce, cooperatives, trade and investment, spoke at the press conference to kick off the two events on Monday.

Ambrose said the events are being organised in conjunction with the United Nations system in Nigeria, Lagos state office of sustainable development goals (SDG), Sterling Bank and Arise News at the Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

The commissioner said the Lagos Invest Summit 2.0, is themed ‘Scaling Action: Bold Solutions Towards Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy’.

She explained that the event is crafted to reflect the state’s visionary ambitions as articulated in the comprehensive Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP 2052) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state’s dynamic T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda.

“The essence of this Summit symbolises our deliberate transition from aspiration to realisation, potential to performance, and discussions to tangible developmental achievements,” Ambrose said.

“At its core, this Summit is a powerful and strategic platform designed to galvanise meaningful collaborations and catalytic partnerships.

“It seeks to convene visionary investors, forward-looking policymakers, industry pioneers, global stakeholders, and influential development partners under one roof.

“A defining feature of the Summit will be our dedicated Deal Rooms, meticulously designed spaces where political heads and senior officials from our Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will be given the opportunity to articulate precise and compelling investment pitches to both local and global investors.

“These bespoke, high-value matchmaking sessions will foster meaningful engagements and lead to partnerships essential for Lagos’ sustained economic vitality and inclusive prosperity.”

Ambrose highlighted the state’s key growth sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, technology, healthcare, renewable energy, creative economy, real estate, agribusiness, and blue economy investments.

“Collectively, we will explore innovative solutions to propel infrastructure expansion, pioneer creative financing strategies, bolster entrepreneurial ecosystems, and accelerate digital innovations that collectively fortify Lagos as the heartbeat of Africa’s thriving economy,” she said.

Ambrose also announced that the Lagos State Industrial Policy (LSIP) 2025-2030 would be launched later this year, serving as a visionary roadmap to reposition the industrial landscape.

According to the commissioner, the LSIP is also designed to catalyse productivity, attract targeted investment, enhance global competitiveness, and ultimately transform Lagos into Africa’s premier industrial powerhouse.

On her part, Peiu Ibekwe, chief executive officer (CEO), Sterling One Foundation, said over $100 million in impact investment was raised at last year’s summit, while noting that more projects are expected to be realised this year.

Ibekwe said 2025 is the mid-point of the UN’s Decade of Action, and there is little time left to 2030, which is why the foundation partnered with other stakeholders to attract more impact investment into viable and scalable solutions.