As global investors search for new destinations for energy, mining and infrastructure capital, EnergyNet believes Nigeria is ready to tell a different investment story, one built on reforms, partnerships and bankable projects rather than unrealised potential.
As a way of repositioning Nigeria as a preferred destination for global capital, a United Kingdom-based investment facilitation company, EnergyNet, is set to host the maiden Nigeria NOW! Global Investors Expo.
The two-day summit is designed to connect international investors with projects that have progressed beyond policy proposals into implementation, at a time when Nigeria is pursuing wide-ranging economic reforms aimed at improving the investment climate.
The initiative comes as Africa’s largest economy seeks to reverse years of slow foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, which have been constrained by policy uncertainty, infrastructure deficits, energy shortages, insecurity, and regulatory challenges, despite the country’s vast natural resources, large consumer market, and strategic position within West Africa.
Organisers say the Expo will provide a platform to demonstrate how ongoing reforms across sectors, particularly energy, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure, can translate into bankable investment opportunities rather than remaining policy ambitions.
EnergyNet is the brain behind the globally recognised Africa Energy Forum (AEF).
According to EnergyNet, the initiative reflects a broader shift in how Nigeria is being positioned within global investment conversations.
Speaking during earlier stakeholder engagements with Premium Times, EnergyNet’s Managing Director, Simon Gosling, said the platform is intended to move discussions beyond aspirations from “what we plan to do to what we have done” and how investors can participate.
EnergyNet argues that recent economic reforms, including changes in the foreign exchange regime, tax administration, mining governance and energy sector policies, have created a more favourable environment for long-term investment.
The Expo seeks to demonstrate how energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, mining and trade are interconnected and collectively capable of driving industrial growth, rather than presenting isolated opportunities in oil and gas or mining.
Momentum for the summit gathered pace this August, when EnergyNet, alongside the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, formally launched the Nigeria NOW! Global Investors Expo at a press conference in Abuja.
The event marked the official unveiling of the initiative and brought together government officials, investors, development partners, private-sector representatives, and the media to outline Nigeria’s investment priorities ahead of the November summit.
Representing the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Simon Nkom, described the Expo as timely, noting that Nigeria is deliberately broadening its productive base beyond traditional revenue sources.
He said: “A mine cannot operate effectively without reliable power, roads, railways, processing facilities, access to financing and predictable regulation.”
Mr Nkom explained that mining cannot thrive in isolation. noting that the Federal Government’s objective is to strengthen the linkages between mining, manufacturing, infrastructure and industrial development.
He added that the ministry’s support would extend beyond the launch event, promising continued collaboration with the organisers throughout the preparation process.
The ministry also reiterated its commitment to shifting Nigeria’s mining industry away from exporting raw minerals towards local processing, manufacturing, and value addition, a policy direction that requires long-term investment, modern technology, and responsible partnerships.
The timing of the initiative coincides with growing global competition for investments linked to the energy transition.
As countries race to secure supplies of lithium, graphite, cobalt and other strategic minerals needed for electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy technologies, African countries are increasingly repositioning themselves to benefit from the changing global economy.
Nigeria has responded by accelerating reforms in its solid minerals sector while encouraging investments in mineral exploration, local processing and industrial development.
EnergyNet believes these reforms provide an opportunity to present Nigeria differently to global investors, not simply as a resource-rich country, but as an emerging investment destination capable of supporting long-term industrial growth.
Portfolio Manager and Head of Corporate Development at EnergyNet, Abdoulaye Sylla, said the Nigeria NOW! initiative emerged after extensive market assessments suggested that Nigeria is now better positioned to attract larger volumes of foreign investment.
Picture 3: Abdoullaye Sylla’s picture speaking during the press conference
According to him, the Expo will function as a project-focused investment platform, connecting investors directly with government institutions and project developers responsible for priority infrastructure and industrial projects.
He disclosed that approximately 600 delegates from around the world are expected to participate in the inaugural edition.
Although organised under the patronage of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria NOW! deliberately adopts a cross-sectoral approach.
The Expo will bring together stakeholders from mining, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, oil and gas, trade and finance
Organisers believe that these sectors cannot be developed independently because mining projects depend on reliable electricity, transport infrastructure, financing and efficient regulation. Likewise, industrial development depends on access to raw materials and functioning logistics networks.
Running alongside the Expo is the inaugural Youth Energy Summit (YES! Nigeria).
The initiative aims to connect young Nigerians with policymakers, investors and industry leaders while equipping them with opportunities emerging from Nigeria’s energy transition and industrial transformation.
