By Adewunmi Oluwaseun
Foreign investors and Nigerians in the diaspora have expressed strong interest in investing in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as the city continues to position itself as a top investment destination.
Speaking at the inaugural Abuja Investment Summit held in London, Chairman of the British African Business Alliance Limited, David Smith, revealed that the group plans to inject approximately $3.5 billion into 15 key projects across the FCT.
Smith, who has spent 17 years championing African investment, praised Abuja’s economic potential and emphasized the Alliance’s readiness to partner with local stakeholders.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with delegates. We’re excited about injecting $3.5 billion into about 15 projects in Abuja,” Smith stated.
Representing the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, at the summit, the Group Managing Director and CEO of Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL), Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, declared that “Abuja is open for business, and now is the time to engage.”
She commended Minister Wike for his leadership and efforts in transforming the FCT into a world-class city.
The summit, themed “Investment Opportunities in Africa’s Gateway; Nigeria,” presented Abuja not just as the nation’s political capital but as a rising economic powerhouse.
According to Dr. Abiodun Akanbi, AICL’s Chief Investment Officer, the city offers enormous potential across sectors including technology, real estate, entertainment, agribusiness, tourism, and infrastructure. “Abuja is where capital meets purpose,” he remarked.
In her goodwill message, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, encouraged Nigerians abroad to invest in their homeland, noting that diaspora engagement is critical to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Also speaking at the event, Ambassador Mercy Haruna Adeoye, who represented the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Mohamed Maidugu, emphasized Nigeria’s openness to global partnerships, citing the country’s vast untapped potential and readiness for sustainable development.
Other key speakers included Ciaran McSharry, CEO of Jamboo App, a digital banking platform, who expressed optimism about Nigeria’s investment environment, and Peter Alettor, Executive Vice Chairman of Apel, who urged global investors to seize the moment.
“The best time to invest in Nigeria is now. President Tinubu has shown commitment to removing bottlenecks and creating an enabling environment for investors,” Alettor said.
The summit marks a significant milestone in Abuja’s quest to attract international investment and foster economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
Among upcoming projects highlighted were 17 major initiatives ready for commissioning, including the newly upgraded Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre (AICC).
