Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has called for robust trade and investment partnerships between Lagos State and Poland, highlighting the two economies as natural partners with aligned ambitions for growth and prosperity. The Governor made this appeal at the inaugural Polish-Nigerian Economic Forum, organized by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nigeria, held at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island.
Represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that deepening economic ties with Poland would position Lagos as a globally competitive hub for investment, trade, and innovation. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses through transparency, security, infrastructure, and the ingenuity of Lagosians. He highlighted Poland’s remarkable economic transformation and stressed that Lagos can learn from and collaborate with Poland in areas such as infrastructure and urban development, energy and clean technology, digital economy and cybersecurity, transport and logistics, healthcare and medical equipment, as well as agriculture and food processing.
The Governor noted that Lagos, with a population exceeding 22 million and contributing over 30 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, serves as the principal gateway to West Africa. He outlined the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda as the strategic framework driving inclusive development in infrastructure, transportation, renewable energy, housing, healthcare, digitization, and the creative economy. Sanwo-Olu described the Forum as a timely platform to foster sustainable growth and innovation, stating, “This Forum is a bridge between Lagos, the heartbeat of Africa’s economy, and Poland, a rising force in Europe. Together, we can build enduring partnerships that will not only strengthen economic ties between our nations but also chart a new course of prosperity for our peoples.”
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, represented by Mrs. Gertrude A. Orji, Director of Investment Promotion, affirmed that Nigeria is open for business and eager to collaborate with Poland across key sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, oil and gas, renewable energy, manufacturing, and technology. The ministry highlighted the nation’s shift from oil dependency to a diversified, export-oriented economy under the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ambassador-Designate of the Polish Embassy in Abuja, Michal Cygan, commended the forum as a launchpad for mutually beneficial partnerships, particularly in trade, investment, innovation, and human capital development. He emphasized the importance of people-to-people ties, noting that over 4,000 Nigerian students currently study in Poland, laying a strong foundation for future bilateral relations.
In her welcome remarks, Justyna Sitarska, Head of the Foreign Trade Office in Lagos, stressed Poland’s readiness to deepen economic collaboration with Nigeria. She highlighted that only one percent of Polish exports currently reach Africa, underscoring the untapped potential for enhanced trade and investment cooperation between the two nations.
The Forum concluded with a shared commitment from both sides to explore opportunities that leverage complementary strengths, drive economic growth, and strengthen bilateral relations between Lagos and Poland.
Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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