Nigeria’s Infrastructure Drive Gains Momentum as West Africa Infrastructure Expo Debuts in Lagos

Nigeria’s growing push to modernise its infrastructure systems will take centre stage next month as industry stakeholders gather in Lagos for the inaugural West Africa Infrastructure Expo, a regional platform aimed at strengthening collaboration, investment and technical capacity across the infrastructure value chain.

Scheduled for 7–9 April 2026 at the Landmark Centre, the exhibition—organised by dmg events—is expected to convene more than 2,000 professionals involved in planning, financing and delivering infrastructure projects across Nigeria and the wider West African market.

The event comes at a time when Nigeria’s development ambitions are increasingly focused on upgrading critical infrastructure across energy, transport, water systems and digital connectivity—sectors widely seen as essential for unlocking economic growth and improving quality of life.

Nigeria’s infrastructure conversation has gained renewed urgency as the country seeks to close long-standing gaps that continue to affect businesses and communities. Industry experts estimate that Nigeria requires tens of billions of dollars annually to modernise infrastructure across key sectors including power, transport networks, urban development and water management.
For businesses, reliable infrastructure remains a fundamental driver of productivity and competitiveness. Manufacturers, technology companies and logistics operators alike continue to cite infrastructure constraints—particularly power supply and transportation bottlenecks—as major operational challenges.
Against this backdrop, platforms that bring together policymakers, investors, engineering firms and project delivery specialists are increasingly seen as essential for accelerating project execution and unlocking private sector participation.
The human dimension of Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is most visible in the power sector. Despite ongoing reforms and investments, many communities and businesses still struggle with unreliable electricity supply, forcing companies and households to rely heavily on alternative energy sources.
Industry stakeholders say addressing these challenges requires stronger collaboration between government institutions, development finance organisations and private sector infrastructure providers.
Events such as the West Africa Infrastructure Expo are therefore emerging as important platforms for discussing solutions ranging from grid modernisation and decentralised energy systems to new infrastructure financing models.

More than 35 companies from countries including Austria, China, Ghana, India and the United Arab Emirates are expected to participate in the exhibition, showcasing technologies and solutions across six key sectors: digital infrastructure, power infrastructure, smart cities, transport systems, waste management and water infrastructure.
Participating companies include engineering and infrastructure solution providers such as PERI, B5 Plus Group, Linsinger, Ban Ngai, KBS Pumps & Valves, Ovaman Pumps, KELM Engineering and Sewatech, reflecting growing international interest in Nigeria’s infrastructure market.
Speaking ahead of the event, Senior Vice President at dmg events, Josine Heijmans, highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s role within the regional infrastructure landscape.
“Nigeria plays a central role in West Africa’s economic landscape and its infrastructure development has significant regional implications. The West Africa Infrastructure Expo creates a focused environment where stakeholders involved in planning, financing and delivering infrastructure projects can engage directly, exchange knowledge and explore opportunities that support long-term development across the region,” she said.
A major highlight of the event will be the Nigeria Infrastructure Summit, a leadership forum bringing together senior government officials, development banks and private sector leaders to examine policy priorities and investment opportunities in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.
The summit will feature a ministerial keynote from Adebayo A. Adelabu, who is expected to outline Nigeria’s vision for power sector growth and infrastructure development over the coming decade.
Discussions will be chaired by Ali Alimasuya Rabiu of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, with sessions exploring issues such as infrastructure financing, urban development, power sector modernisation and project delivery capacity.
Other speakers include Abdul Kamara from the African Development Bank and Abba Aliyu of the Rural Electrification Agency, who will share insights on expanding energy access and strengthening sustainable electrification programmes.
Alongside policy discussions, the event will host the Infra360 programme, a technical knowledge platform designed to support professional development within the infrastructure sector.
Sessions will cover topics including digital tools for infrastructure careers, housing development insights, workforce development and initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for women in infrastructure.
Industry observers say building local technical capacity will be critical to ensuring Nigeria can successfully deliver the complex infrastructure projects required to support its rapidly growing population and urban centres.

As Nigeria continues to position infrastructure as a cornerstone of economic transformation, stakeholders across government and industry are increasingly focused on partnerships capable of mobilising investment, strengthening delivery capability and accelerating project implementation.
By bringing together decision-makers across engineering, finance, policy and technology, the West Africa Infrastructure Expo aims to create a platform where ideas, expertise and investment can converge to help shape the future of infrastructure development across Nigeria and the wider West African region.