How Sanwo-Olu is selling Lagos as Africa’s gateway for investment, By Olumide Iyanda

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Sanwo-Olu noted that despite occupying a relatively small landmass within Nigeria, Lagos has grown into one of the continent’s most economically consequential urban centres. He said policy, innovation and enterprise had combined to shape not only local development but also regional and global economic conversations.

Ahead of the Invest Lagos 3.0 summit holding at Eko Hotel and Suites from 8 to 9 June, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is pitching Lagos as Africa’s leading destination for investment. The target is to attract about ₦4 trillion, or roughly $2.5 billion, in fresh investments into sectors ranging from infrastructure and technology to housing, agriculture and transport.

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For decades, Lagos has occupied a unique position in Nigeria and Africa. It is the country’s commercial nerve centre, home to major banks, manufacturing firms, technology companies, ports and financial institutions. It is also a city whose scale and pace continue to shape conversations about urbanisation, infrastructure, and economic growth on the continent.

The argument being advanced by Lagos officials is straightforward. With its population, market size, transport links and expanding infrastructure, Lagos is positioning itself not simply as Nigeria’s economic capital, but as a gateway to African business opportunities.

According to investment documents prepared ahead of the summit, Lagos contributes more than 30 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and accounts for about 90 per cent of the country’s foreign trade flow. The state government also says Lagos generates about 70 per cent of its revenue internally, reducing dependence on federal allocations.

That revenue growth has become a major part of the Lagos economic story. Lagos generated more than ₦1 trillion in Internally Generated Revenue in 2025, making it the first Nigerian state to cross that threshold. The state’s formal economy has also been estimated at more than $130 billion.

Mr Sanwo-Olu recently pushed the case for Lagos during Africa Week 2026 at King’s College London in the United Kingdom. He described Lagos as a powerful symbol of Africa’s potential and an example of how subnational governments can drive economic growth and global influence.

According to the governor, Lagos has evolved into Africa’s second-largest city economy, with an estimated Gross Domestic Product of about $259 billion on a purchasing power parity basis. He said the city has become Nigeria’s principal commercial gateway and a major destination for investment, enterprise and talent.

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Sanwo-Olu noted that despite occupying a relatively small landmass within Nigeria, Lagos has grown into one of the continent’s most economically consequential urban centres. He said policy, innovation and enterprise had combined to shape not only local development but also regional and global economic conversations.

The Lekki Free Zone has emerged as one of the focal points of the state’s industrial strategy. Located along the Lekki Peninsula, the zone is designed to attract manufacturing, logistics, energy and technology investments through tax incentives and infrastructure support. Officials say the area is expected to support industries ranging from automobile assembly and agro-processing to tourism and real estate.

The numbers partly explain the attraction. Lagos has an estimated population of about 22 million people and remains Africa’s most populous city. Officials estimate the population could exceed 30 million within a few years, with annual growth estimated at 3.2 per cent. More than 45 per cent of Nigeria’s skilled manpower is said to reside in Lagos, while the literacy rate stands at 92 per cent.

Infrastructure remains central to the state’s investment push. Projects such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Lekki Free Zone and the Dangote refinery corridor are being promoted as evidence of Lagos’ ambition to become a regional logistics and industrial hub.

The Lekki Free Zone has emerged as one of the focal points of the state’s industrial strategy. Located along the Lekki Peninsula, the zone is designed to attract manufacturing, logistics, energy and technology investments through tax incentives and infrastructure support. Officials say the area is expected to support industries ranging from automobile assembly and agro-processing to tourism and real estate.

Sanwo Olu said his administration’s development philosophy since 2019 has been to treat Lagos, not as a challenge to be managed but as a platform to be unlocked. He said this vision is reflected in the state’s THEMES+ agenda, which focuses on transport, health, education, technology, urban development, security and social inclusion.

Transport reform has remained a major part of that strategy. The governor pointed to the commencement of passenger operations on the Blue Line Rail and the inauguration of the Red Line Rail, alongside investments in roads, bridges, bus reforms and water transportation.

“These are not isolated projects but part of a deliberate attempt to transform how a city of Lagos’ scale functions,” he said.

The governor also listed achievements, including the delivery of more than 3,000 affordable housing units, deployment of 250 patrol vehicles for security operations, and the acquisition of 62 fire trucks to strengthen emergency response services. He added that the state had invested in food security initiatives, such as the Imota Rice Mill and expanded logistics systems.

For the Lagos State Government, Invest in Lagos 3.0 is therefore more than a promotional event. It is an attempt to strengthen confidence in the city’s long-term economic direction at a time when African economies are competing aggressively for global capital.

Housing remains one of Lagos’ biggest economic and social challenges. State documents estimate a housing deficit of about 1.8 million units, while housing demand is projected to grow by 20 per cent annually. About 80 per cent of households are estimated to live in rented accommodation.

Technology and financial services continue to define much of modern Lagos. The city has emerged as Nigeria’s leading technology ecosystem, attracting startups, venture capital firms, and multinational companies. Sanwo Olu said Lagos now hosts more than 2,000 startups and has produced five unicorns in fintech and digital commerce. The city has also been ranked among the world’s fastest-growing technology ecosystems.

The governor said Lagos’ ₦4.44 trillion budget for 2026 reflects the administration’s determination to continue investing in infrastructure, social services and economic competitiveness. He added that Lagos accounts for a significant share of Nigeria’s capital importation and internally generated revenue, arguing that a strong Lagos ultimately strengthens the national economy.

He also highlighted the growing importance of the creative economy. According to him, sectors such as music, film, fashion, design and digital content have turned Lagos into a major creative hub, with Nollywood and Nigerian musicians projecting African creativity globally.

Still, challenges remain. Traffic congestion, flooding, pressure on public infrastructure and concerns about the cost of doing business continue to affect residents and investors alike. Economic inequality also remains visible across the city, where luxury developments exist alongside overcrowded communities with limited services.

For the Lagos State Government, Invest in Lagos 3.0 is therefore more than a promotional event. It is an attempt to strengthen confidence in the city’s long-term economic direction at a time when African economies are competing aggressively for global capital.

Whether through ports, finance, technology, manufacturing or consumer markets, Lagos continues to present itself as a city too important for investors to ignore. The challenge, as always, will be balancing rapid growth with the infrastructure and governance needed to sustain it.

Olumide Iyanda is the publisher of QEDNG and convener of the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit.