Lagos Is Open For Business & Investment – Says Sanwo-Olu 

The Governor assured investors that Lagos is open for business and investment, as well as forging partnerships that will outlive the current administration and shape generations to come.

He said Lagos wants to work with Georgia to create sister-city frameworks to connect Atlanta and Lagos more deliberately, noting that when the two cities rise together, Nigeria and the United States prosper together.

Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday while delivering a speech at the US–Nigeria Policy and Trade Forum, held alongside FNITCC-AFRICON 2025 at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, United States.

The event was attended by distinguished lawmakers of the State of Georgia, members of the Georgia African Legislative Caucus, business leaders, members of the Nigerian diaspora, and friends of Lagos and Nigeria.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the US-Nigeria Policy and Trade Forum is not just about Nigeria and the United States; it is about Lagos and Georgia finding new synergies in trade, policy collaboration and diaspora.

The Governor said Lagos and Georgia share more than many realise, noting that “Atlanta is a logistics and technology hub for the American South, and Lagos serves as the gateway to West Africa. Both cities thrive at the intersection of trade, innovation, and culture.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu said Georgia’s strengths in logistics, agribusiness, film, and technology align directly with Lagos’ strategic priorities.

He said: “The Georgia African Legislative Caucus has shown visionary leadership in connecting diaspora voices to policymaking. Lagos is eager to work with you in shaping legislation and frameworks that deepen subnational ties.

“Our diaspora is our greatest export. Nigerians in Georgia—entrepreneurs, academics, and professionals—are bridges of trust and innovation. We invite you to invest not only in Nigeria but also to mentor, connect, and build with us.

“Nigeria and the United States share deep and historic ties. But the bond between Lagos State and Georgia carries unique promise. Atlanta is home to one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities in the U.S., and Lagos is home to Africa’s most ambitious megacity project—a city of over 24 million people, generating more than 30 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP and over 50 per cent of its non-oil trade value.

“Just as Georgia has become a logistics and technology hub for the American South, Lagos is the gateway to West Africa, handling over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s seaport cargo throughput and serving as the preferred entry point for investors into Africa’s largest market.

“We are the first subnational in Africa poised to issue a Green Bond, financing sustainable infrastructure. We are pioneering clean energy markets, electric mobility, and climate-resilient projects to ensure that Lagos is not only Africa’s economic capital but also its sustainability leader.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that the Lagos State Government, through partnerships with Afreximbank, MOFI, and global investors, is unlocking billions in capital for transformative projects.

Sharing some of the compelling facts about Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos is an economic powerhouse with a large population and market scale that can boast of infrastructure transformation, innovation and youth.

“In 2024 alone, Lagos attracted $5.95 billion in foreign capital inflows—over two-thirds of Nigeria’s total. Even in Q1 2025, Lagos remained a dominant investment destination, drawing $2.56 billion, despite global headwinds.

“By 2030, Lagos is projected to be the ninth-largest city economy in the world, with a population exceeding 30 million, offering one of the continent’s deepest consumer markets.

“From the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (Blue and Red Lines) to the upcoming 68 km Green Line metro project, and from the Lekki Deep Seaport to the new Lagos International Financial Centre, we are deliberately positioning Lagos as a global city ready for business.

“Lagos is the beating heart of Africa’s tech ecosystem, home to more than 2,500 startups, including unicorns like Flutterwave and Andela. Every day, Lagosians demonstrate that Africa’s future will be digitally powered.