Business and Economy
Nigeria-Côte d’Ivoire Business Investment Roundtable and Exhibition Set to Strengthen Economic Cooperation
By Iyojo Ameh
In a concerted effort to boost economic ties and cultivate collaboration between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, a Business Investment Roundtable and Exhibition is slated to hold on Saturday, the 9th, in lone with the ongoing 64th ECOWAS Summit in Abuja.
This joint initiative, driven by a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), is spearheaded by Amb.
The announcement was unveiled during a press briefing, with key participants such as Dr. Bello Nura, Vice President of the NASME National Association for Small and Medium Enterprises, and Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili Nnam, Executive Director of Trade at the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry, actively engaged.
Mrs. Victoria Akai, the Director General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, voiced enthusiasm for the event, highlighting its long-overdue significance in promoting interactions within the ECOWAS framework. She emphasized the business community’s eagerness, envisioning this as an annual event facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the core of this event lies the exploration of export investment opportunities between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, with a strategic focus on technology, value addition, trade facilitation, and market access.
Key representatives from various government agencies, including the Minister of Trade, DG SMEDAN, ECOWAS delegates, Shippers Council of Nigeria, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, and other pertinent bodies, are anticipated to participate actively.
This joint initiative aims to address past concerns regarding the sluggish implementation of agreements with Côte d’Ivoire. Stakeholders are optimistic that active involvement from the private sector will expedite progress, creating avenues for Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to access Ivorian markets and boost non-oil exports.
Dr. Bello perceives this as a golden opportunity for Nigerian MSMEs, aligning with the broader goals of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement while strengthening bilateral relations with Côte d’Ivoire.
Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili Nnam views this event as a model for fostering deeper trade relationships within West Africa and across the continent. He underlines the critical need for increased intra-African trade, emphasizing the importance of value addition in this context.
The Amb. Bolaji highlighted the exhibition’s significance, considering it a platform to showcase products and disseminate vital business insights across the West African coast. He remains optimistic that this engagement will propel economic growth and contribute substantially to a positive shift in the trade balance.
