Lagos, January 17^th 2025.

Lagos State is setting the pace for Africa’s transition to a circular and green economy, offering significant opportunities for investors, businesses, and entrepreneurs. This was the key message delivered by Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, at the GAIA Africa Digital Workshop on January 14, 2025.

Speaking to a distinguished audience of women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and sustainability advocates, Mrs. Oshodi unveiled Lagos State’s roadmap for sustainability and circular economy growth, reinforcing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision for a Net Zero Lagos by 2050. The session provided a rare opportunity for participants to explore the Lagos State Government’s commitment to sustainable business practices and its enabling environment for circular economy investments.

Oshodi emphasized that sustainability is no longer optional—it is a driver of business success. She highlighted EcoNexus and Eco-Fashion, two groundbreaking initiatives by the Lagos State Office of Climate Change and Circular Economy (OCCE) that are fostering innovation, collaboration, and investment in circular business models.

“Lagos is redefining waste as a resource and positioning itself as a leader in the green economy. Our initiatives create an ecosystem where businesses can thrive by adopting circular economy principles,” she said.

The workshop explored key areas where businesses and investors can tap into Lagos’s circular economy, including:

• Sustainable Procurement & Manufacturing – Encouraging businesses to integrate recyclables into production and supply chains.
• Waste-to-Wealth Opportunities – Leveraging Lagos’s Eco-Circulate program to transform waste into valuable materials for industries.
• Green Financing & ESG Compliance – Enabling businesses to access sustainability-linked investment funds and drive long-term profitability.

As a gathering of GAIA Africa’s influential network of female leaders, the workshop placed a strong emphasis on the role of women in shaping the future of sustainability. Oshodi called on women entrepreneurs to be at the forefront of the circular economy revolution, leveraging Lagos’s policies and platforms to scale their businesses.

“Women are natural problem-solvers, and sustainability is one of the greatest challenges of our time. By leading in circular innovations, women-owned businesses can unlock new markets, drive impact, and build generational wealth,” she stated.

Participants engaged in discussions on ESG compliance, impact measurement, and innovation in circular business models, gaining insights into the evolving regulatory landscape and how Lagos is enabling a thriving, sustainability-focused private sector.

The event concluded with a strong call to action for investors, private sector leaders, and entrepreneurs to seize the vast opportunities within Lagos’s circular economy Oshodi reiterated that the Lagos State Government is committed to providing the policies, infrastructure, and financial incentives needed to support businesses in embedding sustainability into their operations.

“We are ready to collaborate with businesses that see sustainability as the future. Lagos is open for investment, and the time to act is now.”

Lagos is not just building a sustainable economy—it is creating an investment-ready, climate-smart future for Africa.