The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to attract up to $5 trillion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the upcoming World Investment Summit scheduled for 2026, as part of its broader strategy to position Nigeria as Africa’s premier investment destination. The move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s economic diversification drive and ongoing efforts to create a globally competitive business environment.
According to government sources, the 2026 World Investment Summit will serve as a global platform to showcase Nigeria’s economic potential, reforms, and opportunities across key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, digital technology, and renewable energy. The summit is expected to draw investors, multilateral institutions, and global CEOs seeking to explore Africa’s expanding markets.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, disclosed that preparations are already underway for Nigeria’s participation and engagement strategy ahead of the summit. She said the government’s target of $5 trillion in new investment inflows underscores its commitment to reviving investor confidence through policy stability, infrastructure renewal, and business-friendly regulations.
“Our objective is clear — we want Nigeria to emerge as one of the world’s leading investment destinations by 2026. The World Investment Summit will be our biggest platform yet to demonstrate the progress we’ve made in improving ease of doing business and implementing transparent investment frameworks,” Uzoka-Anite stated.
She added that the federal government has embarked on reforms to streamline regulatory processes, harmonize investment policies across agencies, and strengthen institutional support for both local and foreign investors.
“The reforms will ensure that investors enjoy confidence and clarity when engaging with the Nigerian market,” she added. “We are removing barriers that have historically slowed down investment inflows.”
Analysts say the $5 trillion target, though ambitious, signals a renewed sense of optimism about Nigeria’s capacity to attract long-term capital, especially in emerging industries such as fintech, green energy, and manufacturing. The government’s commitment to tackling insecurity, inflation, and infrastructure deficits is also expected to play a critical role in restoring investor trust.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi, noted that Nigeria’s participation in global investment forums over the past year had already yielded promising partnerships, especially in renewable energy and agribusiness. She emphasized that the World Investment Summit would offer a platform to finalize several ongoing negotiations and attract new partnerships.
“Nigeria has a young and dynamic population, a growing middle class, and one of the largest consumer markets in Africa. These fundamentals continue to make the country attractive to investors, particularly as reforms begin to take root,” Rimi said.
She highlighted that the summit will also focus on strengthening bilateral investment treaties and deepening collaboration between public and private sectors to achieve the $5 trillion target.
Economic experts have described the initiative as a timely opportunity for Nigeria to reposition itself amid global competition for foreign capital. Economist and investment consultant, Dr. Ayodeji Ebo, observed that consistent policy reforms and macroeconomic stability would be critical in achieving the ambitious target.
“To attract that scale of investment, Nigeria must show consistent improvement in governance, policy execution, and regulatory efficiency. Investors need certainty and clear exit mechanisms for their capital,” Ebo said.
He added that Nigeria’s participation in the World Investment Summit should also focus on showcasing success stories from the ongoing reforms in the oil and gas, digital economy, and manufacturing sectors.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government is also engaging development finance institutions and sovereign wealth funds to co-invest in large-scale projects across transport, housing, and agriculture. Officials said the aim is to leverage blended financing models to catalyse both private and institutional investments.
The Ministry of Finance further revealed that Nigeria’s investment promotion strategy will be backed by a new framework that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards to attract responsible and sustainable investors.
“We are ensuring that Nigeria’s growth aligns with global sustainability principles. The future of investment is green, inclusive, and technology-driven,” a senior finance ministry official stated.
In preparation for the summit, the government plans to organize pre-event roadshows in major financial hubs such as London, Dubai, and New York to engage potential investors and showcase viable opportunities in Nigeria.
The 2026 World Investment Summit is expected to feature top global investment leaders, development partners, and policymakers. Nigeria’s delegation will highlight the country’s ongoing reforms, infrastructure investments, and digital transformation initiatives.
As the countdown to 2026 begins, the government remains optimistic that the summit will mark a turning point for Nigeria’s investment landscape. With the right mix of reforms, incentives, and international collaboration, officials believe the $5 trillion FDI goal could place Nigeria among the world’s fastest-growing investment destinations within the next decade.
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