Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced Nigeria's strategic goal to lead the intra-African trade and investment revolution, emphasizing government efforts to improve the business environment and attract investment.

Shettima highlighted President Bola Tinubu's commitment to currency stabilization, subsidy rationalization, and deepening reforms through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), all aimed at boosting investment.

He stressed the vital role of Nigerian states and subnational governments in driving economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning Nigeria as a continental leader due to its large market, GDP, and demographic advantages.

The forum's theme, 'Facilitating Intra-African Trade,' focused on transforming trade potential into tangible results and unlocking investment opportunities within Nigeria and across Africa.

This event served as a precursor to upcoming international investment gatherings in London, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, reinforcing Nigeria's ambition to become a key hub for intra-African and global investments.

Afreximbank's Alain-Thierry Mbongue reaffirmed support for subnational governments in attracting investments and expanding intra-African trade through the African Sub-Sovereign Government Network (AfSNET), a platform for knowledge exchange and financing.

Government initiatives aim to build investor trust by improving security, infrastructure, macroeconomic stability, and policy predictability, which are essential for attracting sustainable investment.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, representing Nigeria's Governors’ Forum, expressed readiness of Nigerian states to lead Africa’s next economic growth phase by showcasing investment-ready projects via the NGF Investopedia platform.

He urged Nigerian governors to seize opportunities in agro-exports, regional power projects, and digital platforms, asserting Nigeria's preparedness for global leadership in Africa's economic development.

Woodhall Capital President Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu encouraged investors to leverage Nigeria’s evolving policy landscape, praising recent reforms and announcing upcoming roadshows in London, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi to connect Nigerian states with financiers.

Shettima emphasized the need to increase intra-African trade from below 17% to levels comparable with Europe and Asia, advocating for the use of AfCFTA as a pathway to economic prosperity.