Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Courts Commonwealth Investors in London to Finance Lagos Megacity Projects

Governor Sanwo-Olu pitches Lagos as Africa's premier investment hub at the Commonwealth Summit in London, highlighting new rail projects and the June 3.0 summit.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 4:10 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from ThisDay

Lagos Positions Itself as the Commonwealth's African Gateway

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has issued a high level call to action for the 56 member states of the Commonwealth, inviting global leaders to integrate Lagos into their core investment strategies. Speaking as the keynote speaker at the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit at Mansion House, London, the Governor emphasized that the state is not merely looking for aid but for genuine partnerships. He argued that with Africa projected to house one in four people globally by 2050, Lagos represents a dynamic market that offers significant opportunities for those bringing capital, expertise, and advanced technology to the continent.

Leveraging Trusted Networks Amid Global Economic Fracturing

In his address, titled "The Commonwealth’s Advantage," Sanwo-Olu contrasted the Commonwealth’s network of trust with the current global trend of retreating globalization and rising tariff walls. He noted that the shared commitment to the rule of law and open markets among member nations provides a unique platform for doing business with confidence. By situating Lagos within this architecture, the Governor aims to attract investors who are wary of geopolitical uncertainty, offering them a regulatory environment anchored in democratic governance and predictable economic policies.

Building the Physical Foundations for Global Capital

The Governor detailed his administration’s extensive efforts to create an environment where international capital can feel at home. This includes massive investments in infrastructure such as the expansion of the Lagos port, airport upgrades, and the development of strategic rail corridors. Sanwo-Olu specifically cited the successful launch of the Blue Line and Red Line rail projects, which together form the first metro rail system in West Africa. These developments are intended to demonstrate that the state has the foundational capacity to support large scale industrial and commercial operations.