Lagos and Enugu States have officially become strategic partners of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), a move expected to enhance trade and investment opportunities across Nigeria and the Commonwealth nations.
This development was announced during signing ceremonies in Lagos and Enugu. CWEIC’s Chief Executive Officer, Rosie Glazebrook, emphasised the significance of the partnership, stating it would foster economic growth by creating an “excellent platform for businesses in Lagos State and beyond to interact across the Commonwealth.”
In Lagos, the signing event took place at Lagos House Marina, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in attendance.
The Commissioner joined him for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, and representatives from major private-sector organizations such as Afreximbank, Lagos Free Zone, Emerging Africa Group, and Prime Atlantic Group.
Glazebrook praised Lagos’ business ecosystem, highlighting the state’s readiness to leverage Commonwealth partnerships for expanded trade opportunities.
In Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah hosted the CWEIC delegation at the Lion Building. Glazebrook commended the state’s infrastructural advancements, including projects like the international conference center and a multimodal transport system, as key to attracting global investment.
She remarked, “Enugu’s initiatives reflect the governor’s vision to position the state as a hub for international trade and development.”
Glazebrook underlined CWEIC’s commitment to reducing trade barriers and improving the ease of doing business across member states.
She also detailed ongoing collaborations with Nigeria’s federal government, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council.
The CWEIC CEO noted the Commonwealth’s substantial economic potential, with a combined GDP of $14.2 trillion in 2022, projected to reach $20 trillion by 2029. Intra-Commonwealth foreign direct investment is also set to grow from $1.7 trillion to $4.8 trillion within the same period.
Glazebrook announced plans for the 2025 Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit in London, where Governors Sanwo-Olu and Mbah are expected to lead discussions at the inaugural Governor’s Roundtable.
With 25 Nigerian strategic partners, including Dangote Group, Famfa Oil, Seplat Energy, and Zenith Bank, CWEIC aims to mobilize more businesses to showcase Nigeria’s progress at both federal and state levels.
“Our organization is dedicated to helping businesses grow and export across Commonwealth markets,” Glazebrook concluded, emphasising the importance of Nigeria’s role in driving regional and global economic growth.
