The federal government has called on foreign and local investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s economic potential and invest in the country.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oluwole, made the call at the third edition of the Digital Innovation and Creative Excellence (DICE) gathering in Lagos on Thursday.

DICE is a tech ecosystem mixer organised by Beyond Limits, a pan-African organisation at the forefront of driving digital transformation, excellence, and growth in individuals and organisations.

The 2025 edition of DICE had the theme “Scaling Right: From Market Entry to Market Leadership”.

Ms Oluwole noted that Nigeria offered many investment opportunities, including digital trade, mining, solid minerals, manufacturing, agribusiness and clean energy.

She said the government was committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, including providing support for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

“We are focused on making Nigeria an attractive destination for investors, and we are working tirelessly to remove any bottlenecks that may hinder investment,” the minister said.

She also highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, which Nigeria signed in 2019.

Ms Oluwole said the agreement aimed at creating a single market for goods and services across Africa, promoting economic integration and cooperation among member states.

“Nigeria is well-positioned to benefit from the AfCFTA agreement, and we are working to ensure that our businesses are competitive and ready to take advantage of the opportunities the agreement presents.

“The government has inaugurated several initiatives aimed at promoting investment and economic growth. These initiatives include the National Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC).

“These initiatives are designed to provide support for investors, including providing information on investment opportunities, facilitating business registration and licensing, and offering incentives for investment,” she said.

Ms Oluwole urged investors to take advantage of the initiatives and explore Nigeria’s many investment opportunities.

“We are committed to creating a business-friendly environment that supports investment and economic growth, and we look forward to working with investors to achieve this goal,” the minister stressed.

In a welcome address, the convener of DICE, Juliet Ehimuan, said Africa’s technology sector held immense potential for national and continental growth.

However, Ms Ehimuan said the sector faced significant challenges, including high operational costs, infrastructure deficits and fragmented regulations.

She highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, citing the need for policymakers to develop supportive regulations and infrastructure that facilitate growth and expansion.

(NAN)