Lagos ease of doing business ranking places the state first in Nigeria as officials highlight reforms, investment growth and infrastructure plans
Lagos State has emerged as Nigeria’s top-ranked state for ease of doing business in the 2026 Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council rankings, reinforcing the state government’s ambitious drive to position Lagos as Africa’s leading commercial and investment hub.
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The ranking, released in March through the 2025 Subnational Ease of Doing Business Report, assessed all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory across key indicators including infrastructure, land administration, regulatory efficiency, investor support systems and digital service delivery.
Lagos outperformed every other state, with the recognition formally presented to Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The development was highlighted during a ministerial press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, where the commissioner presented the ministry’s scorecard for the third year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
Ambrose-Medebem said the achievement reflected sustained reforms designed to transform Lagos from Nigeria’s commercial capital into what officials described as “the Business Gateway of Africa.”
She linked the recognition to the Lagos State Development Plan 2052 and the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda, particularly the economic pillar focused on building a modern and globally competitive economy.
Central to the strategy is the state’s “Invest in Lagos” summit series, which has become its flagship investment platform.
The second edition of the summit, held in July 2025 at Eko Hotels & Suites, attracted more than 500 investors, policymakers and business leaders under the theme, “Scaling Action: Bold Solutions Towards Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy.”
Organised in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Sterling One Foundation and Arise Media Group, the summit focused on opportunities across transportation, healthcare, energy, innovation and technology.
The state government is now preparing for “Invest in Lagos 3.0,” scheduled for June 8 and 9, 2026, at the Eko Convention Centre, where officials expect participation from international financiers, governors, investors and development institutions.
Officials said the summit is intended to facilitate major investment deals across strategic sectors of the Lagos economy.
The ministry also pointed to federal recognition of the Lagos State Cooperative College financing initiative, LASMECO, which was adopted during the 16th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment as a model for supporting micro, small and medium-scale enterprises nationwide.
According to the ministry, the adoption represented a powerful endorsement of Lagos’ cooperative financing framework and its support structure for small businesses.
The government further highlighted the implementation of the Lagos State Industrial Policy 2025–2030, a long-term framework designed to establish Lagos as Africa’s manufacturing centre.
As part of the industrial expansion drive, the state has begun upgrading industrial estates in Matori and Ikorodu while carrying out compliance and verification exercises across state-owned industrial facilities.
Lagos has also intensified international commercial diplomacy in recent months, hosting delegations from the United States, Netherlands and United Arab Emirates while participating in trade and investment engagements in London and other global business centres.
Among the notable engagements was a visit by representatives of Apple Inc. and David Oyelowo to the Lekki Free Trade Zone in connection with the proposed film adaptation of Things Fall Apart.
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Ambrose-Medebem said the Lagos ease of doing business ranking should not be viewed as a final destination but as a foundation for broader economic ambitions ahead of the end of the current administration in 2027.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
