Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle), at the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit in London on April 20, 2026.
By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on the 56 member states of the Commonwealth to channel investments into Africa—particularly Lagos—by bringing capital, technology, and expertise, assuring them of strong partnerships and viable opportunities.
Sanwo-Olu made the call on Monday while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit held at Mansion House in London.
He noted that the Commonwealth’s greatest strength lies not just in shared language, laws, or history, but in its people, stressing that Africa represents one of its most dynamic and consequential regions.
“Africa is home to the world’s youngest population. By 2050, one in four people globally will be African. If the Commonwealth is to remain relevant—not just as a symbolic alliance but as a true engine of global trade and investment—then Africa must be central to its strategy, and Lagos must be part of that conversation,” he said.
The summit, themed “The Commonwealth’s Advantage,” attracted key global figures, including Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Lord Marland; Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Shirley Botchwey; Deputy Prime Minister of Malta, Ian Borg; and the Lord Mayor of the City of London Corporation, Susan Langley, alongside heads of government, ministers, investors, and business leaders.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted the Commonwealth as a trusted network built on shared commitments to the rule of law, democratic governance, and open markets, noting that its full potential would be realised when emerging economies are treated as equal partners in shaping investment frameworks.
He expressed support for initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he described as a transformative platform capable of creating the world’s largest single market by GDP coverage. He also pointed to Lagos State’s ongoing investments in ports, airports, rail corridors, and digital infrastructure as key enablers for attracting global capital.
Speaking on his administration’s development drive, the governor reiterated his commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy through the THEMES+ agenda, aimed at transforming Lagos into a 21st-century megacity.
“Lagos is Nigeria’s economic capital, generating roughly a third of the country’s GDP. Were it a standalone economy, it would rank among the top five in sub-Saharan Africa,” he said. “We have continued to invest in transportation, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social inclusion.”
He cited the operational Blue Line and Red Line rail projects as milestones in urban mobility, alongside investments in road networks, water systems, security, and digital governance platforms.
Sanwo-Olu also announced that Lagos will host Invest in Lagos 3.0, its flagship investment summit, on June 8 and 9 at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island. The event will be organised in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council to attract global investors and deepen international engagement.
“Invest in Lagos is not just a conference; it is a transaction platform where we present bankable opportunities across key sectors and engage directly with the global investment community,” he said.
Also speaking at the summit, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, highlighted practical steps the state is taking to mobilise capital and drive growth in emerging markets during a plenary session titled “Mobilising Capital for Growth in Emerging Markets.”
The governor’s remarks underscored Lagos State’s strategic positioning as a leading investment destination and its commitment to fostering global partnerships for sustainable economic growth.
