The summit, themed “Lagos: Business Gateway to Africa,” was announced during a press briefing by the State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem.

It is being jointly organised by the Lagos State Government, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, and several public and private sector partners.

Ambrose-Medebem said the event has evolved beyond a traditional investment conference into a global platform for policy dialogue, capital mobilisation, investor matchmaking, and strategic economic engagement.

According to her, the expected participation of delegates from Commonwealth member states and other regions reflects growing international confidence in Lagos as a leading investment destination.

Attendees will include policymakers, multinational corporations, development finance institutions, entrepreneurs, innovators, and trade delegations from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

The summit will feature keynote speeches, plenary sessions, executive roundtables, sector-focused investment forums, exhibitions, and business-to-business and business-to-government meetings.

Key sectors on the agenda include infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, technology, the blue economy, tourism, energy transition, logistics, transportation, financial services, real estate, and small business development.

A major highlight will be a governors’ investment showcase designed to connect state governments with global investors and development partners.

The commissioner also emphasised Lagos’ strategic position as an economic hub, citing its large consumer base, expanding infrastructure, innovation ecosystem, and maritime advantages.

With a population of over 23 million and one of Africa’s largest city economies, she said Lagos remains uniquely positioned to attract global capital across multiple sectors, in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s economic agenda.

The summit is expected to produce investment agreements, policy frameworks, and action plans aimed at boosting job creation and long-term economic growth.

Co-chairman of the Technical Committee on Invest Lagos 3.0, Toyosi Akerele, also highlighted the role of technology in the event, noting that an AI-powered dashboard will enable global participation in real time.

Students from institutions such as Lagos State University will operate parts of the summit’s digital command centre as part of efforts to build youth capacity and human capital development.

She also disclosed plans for a podcast segment featuring foreign delegates sharing insights on Lagos’ business environment, culture, and tourism appeal.

In addition, more than 400 international delegates are expected to participate in post-summit guided tours on June 10, including visits to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery, Dangote Fertiliser Plant, Lekki Deep Sea Port, RussellSmith 3D Printing and Manufacturing Centre, as well as key transport infrastructure such as the Blue and Red Line rail systems.

Speaking in a statement issued on behalf of the group, the National Coordinator of PVD, Chris Ishaku, said recent developments within the opposition had vindicated Governor Mutfwang’s political calculations, particularly amid growing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

According to Ishaku, the PDP has steadily drifted into instability, pointing to emerging reports that even the chairman of the Governors’ Forum has also sought another platform for his loyalists.

“Governor Mutfwang saw ahead of many others. The reality today is that the PDP has no clear future, and responsible leaders must position their people where opportunities and stability exist,” Ishaku said.

He said such developments clearly showed that the opposition party was losing cohesion and could no longer provide the stable political platform required to sustain governance and development.

The group maintained that Governor Mutfwang’s alignment with the APC had already started yielding practical dividends for Plateau State, both politically and economically.

PVD specifically cited the growing atmosphere of peace among political elites in the state, noting that the reduction in political hostility and internal rivalry had created a more stable environment for governance.

The group also pointed to the Federal Government’s recent decision to commence work on the Akwanga-Jos road project as one of the immediate gains linked to Plateau State’s improved relationship with the centre.

“The commencement of the Akwanga-Jos road is a practical signal that Plateau is now benefiting from stronger cooperation with the Federal Government. These are the gains of strategic political alignment,” he added.

According to the statement, the strategic road corridor is expected to significantly improve transportation, boost commerce and ease movement into Plateau State, while also enhancing security and economic activities across the region.

Ishaku further argued that with the distractions of internal political bickering substantially reduced, the Mutfwang administration could now focus more squarely on governance, infrastructure and development programmes aimed at improving the lives of Plateau citizens.

The group urged Plateau people to support the governor’s political direction, insisting that the state stands to gain more through unity, stability and constructive engagement with the Federal Government.