ABUJA — Nigeria is set to strengthen its voice in global conversations on investment, entrepreneurship, innovation, the creative economy and the future of work as Vivacity Development convenes a three-city international engagement series across London, New York and Antalya.

The 2026 programme brings together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, development stakeholders, corporate leaders and innovators to explore opportunities for stronger connections between Nigerian and African businesses, international capital, global markets and strategic partnerships.

The first engagement, Investors Connect London 2026, will take place on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Imperial College London, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm.

Held under the key themes of Inclusive Growth, Innovation and Multi-Sector Diversification, the London gathering will bring together a diverse group of investors, policymakers, founders, business leaders, development experts and ecosystem stakeholders for conversations focused on unlocking capital, strengthening businesses and building global partnerships.

The confirmed London lineup includes Hajiyya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs; Dr. Sunday Akin, Special Adviser to the President on Nigeria Media and Public Communications; Hon. Christopher Okaeben, Commissioner, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Edo State; Benedict Alabi, former Deputy Governor of Osun State; Chidi Umeano, Principal Consultant at Codub Group; Dr. Innocent Clement, Founder and CEO of Ciba Health; Thoralf Stenvold, International Trade Expert and former Norwegian Diplomat; Agnes Gitau, Executive Director for the EU and UK at the Eastern Africa Association; Joevas Asare, Managing Director of ARK Group International; Dr. Lanre Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Elpee Consults; Ezra Akran, CEO of EdenFi; Temitayo Olatunde, Executive Director of Temvert Empowerment Foundation; Abiodun Sowemimo, President of Cyberpedia Internet Governance; and a range of other investors, entrepreneurs and sector leaders.

The event will be convened by Engr. Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, CEO of Vivacity Development, with Chidi Umeano serving as Co-Convener and Ebaide Ominunu, Founder as Moderator.

According to Vivacity Development, Investors Connect London is designed to move beyond conventional networking by creating practical opportunities for founders and businesses to connect with investors, mentors, institutions and international partners.

The event will explore how access to capital, mentorship, innovation, market access and cross-border partnerships can help African businesses scale and contribute to inclusive economic growth.

The initiative has attracted the support and participation of a growing coalition of institutional and ecosystem partners, including the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Nigeria High Commission in the United Kingdom, Edo State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation, Cyberpedia Limited, Codub Consulting, Temvert Empowerment Foundation and Wonderful Way CIC, among others.

The London engagement forms part of a wider international programme that will continue in New York and Türkiye.

The second engagement, a UN General Assembly (UNGA 81) Side Event, is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2026, at the ILR School, Cornell University, New York. The event will focus on work, innovation and opportunity, with particular attention to preparing the next generation for the global economy.

The series will conclude with a UNFCCC COP Side Event in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday, November 12, 2026, expanding the conversation into climate action, green investment, innovation and emerging opportunities created by the global transition towards a more sustainable economy.

Speaking on the initiative, Engr. Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, Managing Director/CEO of Vivacity Development, said the objective was to create practical connections between ideas, capital and opportunity.

“Africa has no shortage of talent, ideas or ambition. What we need to strengthen is the connection between those opportunities and the capital, partnerships, knowledge and markets that can help them scale.

“These platforms are about creating those connections and ensuring that Nigeria is part of the conversations that will shape the future of work, investment and economic opportunity.”

She added that the international engagements were designed to ensure that Nigerian and African enterprises were not only represented in global conversations but were positioned to access the relationships, capital and markets required to grow.

Vivacity Development said the growing coalition around the programme reflects the importance of bringing government, business, investors, development institutions and young innovators into the same conversation around Africa’s economic future.

The organisation said the three international engagements will strengthen Nigeria’s visibility within global investment and development conversations while creating new channels for collaboration between Nigerian enterprises and international stakeholders.