More than 1,000 participants from over 70 countries gathered in Lagos as Solid Foundation Estates Limited hosted the maiden African Business & Leadership Summit (ABLS 2026), aimed at strengthening partnerships for investment and job creation across Africa.
The summit, held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, from May 12 to 13, 2026, was themed, “Driving Africa’s Growth Through Innovation, Strategic Leadership, and Collaboration.”
Organisers said the event attracted representatives from 35 countries, alongside 60 strategic partners and 50 exhibitors spanning sectors such as investment and export, real estate and infrastructure, information technology and innovation, aviation and logistics, healthcare, education, and entertainment.
The summit was convened by Solid Foundation Estates Limited and led by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ESV Adetoun Otepola.
Speaking during the event, Otepola described ABLS 2026 as a strategic platform for strengthening regional cooperation, fostering investment-driven partnerships, and promoting visionary leadership capable of positioning Africa for sustainable economic growth and global competitiveness.
“ABLS 2026 represents a strategic movement towards fostering stronger regional cooperation, investment-driven partnerships, and visionary leadership capable of positioning Africa for sustainable economic growth, competitiveness, and global relevance,” Otepola said.
Discussions at the summit centred on unlocking investment in infrastructure, technology, real estate, and manufacturing — sectors widely regarded as critical to addressing Nigeria’s weak economic growth, rising unemployment, and inflationary pressures.
Organisers added that the summit created robust Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer engagement opportunities designed to facilitate strategic collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders.
A comprehensive exhibition also ran alongside the main sessions, featuring government agencies, multinational companies, financial institutions, startups, and development organisations showcasing investment opportunities and innovative solutions.
Lagos was selected as the host city because of its status as a major commercial and innovation hub, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and serving as a gateway for intra-African trade through its ports, airports, technology ecosystem, and creative industries.
Otepola further noted that the summit was conceived as a long-term platform for connecting leaders committed to shaping Africa’s future through enterprise, innovation, and sustainable economic development.
Strategic partners for the summit included Adetoun OtepolaConsulting, ATT Facilities, and Estate Surveyors and Valuers.
Organisers expressed optimism that the partnerships and discussions emerging from ABLS 2026 would contribute significantly to Africa’s next phase of economic growth and employment generation.
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