The Doing Business in Nigeria Conference (DBNC) 2026 brought together leading policymakers, investors, regulators, and business executives in Lagos to examine the evolving drivers of growth within Nigeria’s private sector, with a strong focus on collaboration, capital access, and enterprise competitiveness.
Convened by Linda Uneze, Chief Executive Officer of Maurice Xandra Solutions, the conference has continued to serve as a strategic platform for dialogue on business growth and economic transformation.
The 2026 edition was held on April 25 at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, under the theme “Beyond Boundaries: Innovate Locally, Compete Globally.”
The 2026 edition was delivered in collaboration with key partners Maurice Xandra Solutions, VFD Group, Unotelos Group amongst many others whose support made the conference possible and reinforced the critical role of cross-sector partnerships in enabling enterprise growth and innovation.
The keynote address was delivered by Tonye Patrick Cole, Co-founder of Sahara Group, titled “From Potential to Performance: Building Enterprises That Dominate at Home and Win Abroad.” He emphasized execution, discipline, and systems as critical foundations for building globally competitive businesses.
The second keynote address was delivered by Kemi Adeosun, former Minister of Finance, titled “Inside the Minds of Market Makers: How Bold Leaders Navigate Nigeria’s Complexity.” She provided insights into market behaviour, fiscal discipline, and the realities of decision-making in a complex economic environment, underscoring the importance of clarity, resilience, and informed leadership.
In a Special Address, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Republic of Nigeria, outlined ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s investment climate, stressing policy consistency and deeper public-private sector collaboration as key enablers of sustainable growth.
A leadership-focused executive roundtable, “Leadership Without Precedent,” featured Dr. Folashade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager, West Africa, Mastercard; Folake Soetan, Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electric; Yetunde Oni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria; and Chidilim Menakaya, Director, Sahara Group Foundation. Moderated by Chukwuma Aligwekwe (Chico), Programme Director, Classic FM, the session explored how leaders are navigating decision-making in an environment defined by uncertainty and structural change.
A fireside chat titled “Powering Prosperity: Capital, Energy, and the Future of Nigeria’s Economic Growth” featured Engr. Effiong Udofia Okon, Executive Director, Seplat Energy, and was moderated by Olatunde Akintola, Chief Executive Officer of EnergiHub. The conversation examined how energy infrastructure and access to capital remain central to unlocking productivity, industrial expansion, and long-term economic growth in Nigeria.
Another key discussion, “Financing Nigeria’s Growth: What Investors Need, What Businesses Must Do,” brought together Chidi Iwuchukwu, Executive Director, Rand Merchant Bank; Oluyemisi Iranloye, Chief Executive Officer, Psaltry International Company Limited; Wole Abu, Managing Director, Equinix West Africa; Tokunbo Akande, Special Adviser to the Executive Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS); and Anthony Oduu, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, VertoFX. Moderated by Tokunbo George-Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Skot Communications, the session focused on investor expectations, access to capital, and the structural requirements for scalable businesses.
The Business Pitch Competition stood out as a practical extension of the conference’s themes, offering entrepreneurs direct exposure to investors and industry leaders. Among the finalists, Jennifer Esiaba, Chief Executive Officer of Mariam Grey Health, distinguished herself with a healthcare-focused solution addressing systemic gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, presenting a model noted for clarity and scalability.
The competition was evaluated by Oladayo Williams, Managing Director, Tetracore Energy Group; Thessa Bagu, Managing Director, Commercium Africa; Dr. Ayo Adegboye, Chief Executive Officer, Arravo; and Chioma Esike, Managing Director, Herel and Chief of Staff, VFD Group. Beyond evaluation, the process also opened pathways for mentorship, networks, and strategic partnerships.
Across all sessions, a consistent message emerged: Nigeria’s business growth is increasingly dependent on stronger collaboration, improved access to capital, and more connected ecosystems that support scale.
DBNC 2026 reinforced its position as a platform where policy, capital, and enterprise intersect, leaving strong anticipation for the next edition.
