It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Lagos — the heartbeat of West Africa’s economy and the home of innovation, resilience, and enterprise. I warmly welcome our friends and partners from the Republic of South Africa to this strategic conversation on strengthening our shared economic destiny.
This roundtable is not just another diplomatic meeting; it is a continuation of a historic partnership between two powerful African nations. The South Africa–Nigeria corridor is brimming with potential and today’s discussions give us the chance to turn that potential into real, measurable progress.
Lagos is at the heart of this vision — a genuine gateway to the West African economy. The city naturally serves as a hub for trade, finance, creativity, and innovation. Every day, Lagos connects Africa to the world through its bustling ports, advanced digital infrastructure, and a youthful, ambitious population that’s shaping the continent’s future.
Our administration has been committed to implementing thoughtful reforms to make Lagos a more efficient, inclusive, and tech-driven economy. We have made significant investments in renewing our infrastructure — expanding the rail network, upgrading ports and logistics corridors, and constructing roads and bridges that link production hubs to markets. Projects like the ongoing Lagos–Badagry Expressway and Lekki Deep Sea Port are shining examples of our strategic vision for regional connectivity.
When it comes to digital infrastructure, we are building a smart city that thrives on connectivity. Our MetroFibre Project has laid down over 3,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables, broadening broadband access for homes, businesses, and schools. This digital backbone is propelling Lagos into a knowledge and innovation economy — one that fosters fintech, e-commerce, and digital inclusion.
In the area of power, we are integrating off-grid and embedded energy solutions to enhance both reliability and affordability. The Lagos Electricity Policy and Independent Power Projects aim to bolster industrial clusters, business parks, and commercial zones with sustainable energy sources. We firmly believe that dependable power is the cornerstone of manufacturing competitiveness and a magnet for attracting industrial investment.
Our logistics and transport sector is continually evolving, with reforms aimed at streamlining cargo movement and cutting down turnaround times at our ports. We are harnessing technology to simplify trade facilitation and strengthen value chains along the Lagos–Ogun industrial corridor.
But it is not just about infrastructure; Lagos proudly stands as Africa’s creative capital — a lively hub where imagination and enterprise collide. Our creative economy — from the cinematic storytelling of Nollywood to the global beats of Afrobeats, and from fashion and design to digital media and gaming — serves not only as a source of national pride but also as a significant driver of inclusive economic growth and youth empowerment. Creativity is one of our most valuable exports, creating jobs, attracting investments, and showcasing a modern African identity to the world.
We see the immense potential in this sector and are making intentional investments in creative hubs, film villages, and innovation districts that offer access to state-of-the-art production facilities, digital tools, and training opportunities. Initiatives like the Lagos Film City Project, our Creative Industry Masterplan, and collaborations with global streaming platforms are all geared towards nurturing the next generation of African storytellers, designers, and digital entrepreneurs. These investments ensure that young creatives have the environment, structure, and support they need to turn their talents into sustainable careers and globally recognized brands.
By positioning Lagos as the heart of Africa’s creative renaissance, we are not just building industries — we are cultivating influence, identity, and inclusion. Looking ahead, we see exciting opportunities for collaboration with South African producers, studios, and investors who share our commitment to excellence and cultural innovation. We can elevate Africa’s creative economy into a continental powerhouse that speaks with a unified voice and confidently competes on the global stage.
As we continue to deepen our reforms, Lagos is eager to welcome partnerships that bring in capital, technology, and expertise to boost our growth. We understand that sustainable progress flourishes where ideas, innovation, and investment come together — and South Africa stands out as one of Africa’s most vibrant sources of all three. Over the years, South African businesses have played a crucial role in Lagos’ economic narrative — from telecommunications that enhance our digital inclusion to retail chains that cater to millions of households, and financial institutions that bolster trade, housing, and enterprise development. These contributions are more than just investments; they reflect a strong belief in Lagos’ stability, market potential, and forward-thinking leadership.
Looking forward, we see vast potential to achieve even more together — to build on the solid foundation of our relationship and expand into the industries that will shape Africa’s future. The opportunities ahead cover a broad spectrum of emerging sectors: from green manufacturing that promotes sustainable industrialization and climate resilience to renewable energy solutions that can power our cities and production hubs with cleaner, more efficient systems. In the realms of digital payments and fintech, both Lagos and South Africa are leading the way — together, we can create interoperable platforms that simplify trade and empower millions of small businesses.
Our film, music, and creative industries continue to shape Africa’s global identity; with the creative excellence of South Africa and the storytelling vibrancy of Lagos, co-productions and joint investments can unlock new markets and cultural bridges. In real estate and urban development, the demand for housing, industrial parks, and mixed-use infrastructure creates vast opportunities for South African developers, financiers, and architects to bring expertise and innovation to Lagos’ rapidly evolving skyline.
By leveraging South Africa’s industrial strength and our vast market, youthful talent, and innovation ecosystem, we can establish joint ventures and enterprise clusters that transcend borders. Such partnerships will not only expand our economies but also position Africa as a competitive and credible player in global value chains — a continent capable of producing, innovating, and exporting excellence.
I invite South African investors to deepen their engagement with Lagos-anchored value chains — in manufacturing, logistics, the energy transition, and the creative economy. Each of these sectors represents a pillar of our future economy and an entry point for transformative partnerships. The manufacturing and logistics corridors stretching from Lekki to Agbara are being positioned as West Africa’s most efficient industrial platforms, supported by modern ports, reliable power, and digital trade infrastructure.
In energy, Lagos offers a fertile landscape for collaboration in renewables, waste-to-energy projects, and embedded power systems that can strengthen industrial resilience. Our creative industries — film, fashion, music, and design — continue to redefine Africa’s cultural economy and are ripe for structured investment and co-production with South African partners who share a similar creative dynamism.
With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opening new frontiers for the movement of goods, services, and talent, Lagos stands as the natural launchpad for regional integration and cross-border trade. Our city’s deep consumer base, financial sophistication, and transport infrastructure make it the ideal springboard for South African enterprises seeking to scale across West Africa and beyond. We can build a corridor of shared prosperity that connects the industrial strength of South Africa with the innovation and market depth of Lagos to power the next chapter of Africa’s growth story.
Our commitment is to continue building a city where innovation thrives, businesses flourish, and public policy provides clarity, confidence, and consistency. We see South Africa not as a competitor, but as a collaborator in building a stronger, more connected Africa.
I want this Lagos Roundtable to stand as a turning point that moves us beyond goodwill and dialogue into the realm of action and measurable outcomes. Let this gathering mark the beginning of a new chapter where every conversation translates into investment, every handshake opens a value chain, and every partnership delivers shared prosperity for our people. The promise of this moment lies in our ability to turn ambition into achievement, to build factories, logistics networks, technology hubs, and creative platforms that carry the imprint of South African–Nigerian collaboration.
I want us to redefine Africa’s narrative – from being a continent limited by its challenges, to one propelled by its ingenuity, resilience, and shared opportunities. If we can sustain this spirit of cooperation and match it with commitment, I have no doubt that the next decade will be remembered as the era when Lagos and South Africa helped shape a more prosperous, interconnected, and confident Africa.
Thank you.
Delivered on behalf of His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State