Deep-rooted funding challenges, weak institutional coordination, and slow project execution among other barriers dominated discussions as stakeholders gathered for the inaugural West Africa Infrastructure Expo and Nigeria Infrastructure Summit in Lagos.
The co-located events, held at the Landmark Centre and running until April 9, have drawn a broad mix of policymakers, investors, engineers, development partners, and private sector operators, all seeking solutions to Nigeria’s widening infrastructure deficit.
Organised by dmg events, the duo platforms were designed not just as exhibitions, but as intervention points to address systemic inefficiencies in infrastructure planning, financing, and execution—particularly across transport, power, water systems, digital infrastructure, and urban development.
While Nigeria continues to outline ambitious infrastructure plans, stakeholders at the summit noted that the country’s biggest challenge lies in translating these plans into tangible, timely outcomes.
Speaking at the opening, Deputy President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Valerie Agberagba, identified poor coordination among government institutions, inadequate funding structures, and limited transparency as critical bottlenecks.
According to her, fragmented responsibilities across agencies often result in duplication, delays, and cost overruns, weakening the overall impact of infrastructure investments.
She stressed that improving inter-agency collaboration and strengthening professional standards within the sector are essential to achieving efficiency and accountability in project delivery.
A major highlight of the summit was a high-level panel on mobilising capital at scale, which brought together experts including representatives from the African Development Bank Nigeria Country Department and private sector investment leaders.
Discussions focused on the urgent need to de-risk infrastructure projects, develop bankable project pipelines, and strengthen regulatory frameworks to attract long-term capital.
Stakeholders noted that Nigeria’s infrastructure needs far exceed available public funding, making it imperative to unlock private sector investment through innovative financing models such as public-private partnerships, PPPs and blended finance structures.
They also emphasised that inconsistent policies and weak project preparation continue to discourage investors, limiting the flow of both domestic and foreign capital into the sector.
Beyond external financing, experts highlighted the need for Nigeria to better leverage its domestic resources to fund infrastructure projects.
Agberagba noted that the country has the financial and technical capacity to drive its infrastructure agenda internally, if properly structured and managed. However, she warned that without improved governance and transparency, such resources may not be efficiently deployed.
She also underscored the importance of continuous training and upskilling of engineers, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and digital systems, to ensure the workforce can support modern infrastructure demands.
The exhibition component of the event reflected the growing complexity of Nigeria’s infrastructure needs, with companies showcasing solutions spanning construction technology, power systems, water management, transport infrastructure, and smart city development.
Alongside this, HVACR Nigeria, focused on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration, highlighted increasing demand for energy-efficient cooling systems, cold-chain infrastructure, and climate-control technologies.
Industry players noted that rapid urbanisation, population growth, and rising temperatures are placing additional pressure on existing infrastructure, making sustainability and energy efficiency critical considerations in future projects.
Speaking at the event, Senior Vice President of dmg events, Josine Heijmans, said the initiative was designed to close the gap between policy ambition and real-world delivery.
She emphasised that infrastructure development in Nigeria requires stronger alignment between government policies, financing mechanisms, and execution frameworks to achieve measurable progress.
According to her, the expo and summit provide a platform for decision-makers to engage directly with solution providers and investors, fostering partnerships that can accelerate project implementation.
Meanwhile, participants warned that failure to address structural challenges in infrastructure delivery could continue to hinder Nigeria’s economic growth, increase the cost of doing business, and reduce the country’s global competitiveness.
They noted that inefficient transport systems, unreliable power supply, and inadequate urban infrastructure remain major constraints for businesses and investors.
The Nigeria Infrastructure Summit is expected to generate practical, actionable recommendations focused on improving project preparation, strengthening institutional coordination, enhancing transparency, and creating a more investment-friendly environment.
As discussions continue, stakeholders maintain that sustained collaboration between government, private sector players, and development partners will be critical to unlocking Nigeria’s infrastructure potential and driving long-term economic development.
