Lawal woos investors, showcases Zamfara economic opportunities

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has called for stronger collaboration between government, businesses and investors to unlock private capital and accelerate inclusive economic growth in the state.

Lawal made the call while delivering a Special Policy Address at the 2026 CEO Forum organised by the Global Compact Network Nigeria in Lagos.

The forum, held under the theme, “Financing a Dignified Future: Aligning Business Action, Policy and Capital,” brought together chief executives, senior government officials, industry leaders, diplomats, trade commissioners and international development partners.

Participants were drawn from major sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, construction and infrastructure.

The governor said states were increasingly competing for limited private capital, stressing the need for governments to create the right conditions for investors to commit funds to productive ventures.

He explained that his administration was working to bridge the gap between Zamfara’s economic opportunities and available investment, with emphasis on building investor confidence and ensuring that investments translate into tangible benefits for residents.

According to Lawal, identifying economic opportunities alone was not enough to attract investors, noting that governments must put in place policies, conditions and partnerships capable of giving businesses the confidence to invest.

He said Zamfara was seeking to position its economic opportunities in a manner that would attract productive capital while supporting job creation, local value addition and sustainable livelihoods.

The forum provided an opportunity for government officials, business leaders and investors to discuss how public policies, business strategies and capital could be better aligned to unlock investment in productive sectors.

Discussions also examined businesses, sectors and projects with strong growth potential but limited access to financing, as well as ways of making such opportunities more attractive to investors.

A major focus of the forum was the concept of the “Dignity Dividend,” which examined how investment-led growth could result in better jobs, stronger businesses, higher productivity, local value creation and wider economic participation.

Participants also considered actionable commitments and partnerships that institutions could pursue over the next six to 12 months to translate discussions into concrete economic outcomes.

Notable speakers at the forum included chief executives and senior executives from First Bank Group, Access Bank, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Nigerian Exchange Group, Chellarams Plc, SecureID Group and Greenwich Merchant Bank Plc, among others.

The organisers also unveiled the Business Value and Sustainability Platform (BVSP), described as a standing coalition of business, capital and policy stakeholders aimed at sustaining engagement on investment and development issues.

The platform is expected to support private-sector engagement during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.

Lawal’s participation in the forum comes as his administration seeks to strengthen Zamfara’s economic base, attract productive investment and create opportunities capable of supporting sustainable livelihoods and broader economic participation across the state.