The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is stepping up efforts to attract Chinese investors to Nigeria as the country seeks to achieve its ambitious $1 trillion economy target by 2030.
The business organisation has announced the third edition of its Business and Investment Forum in Guangzhou, China, which will be held alongside the 140th Canton Fair, one of the world’s largest international trade exhibitions.
The forum is expected to bring Nigerian businesses face-to-face with Chinese investors, manufacturers, industrialists and other major business executives across key sectors of the economy.
NACCIMA’s Public Relations Officer, Madinat Adigun-Oladotun, said the initiative supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is designed to position Nigeria as a more attractive destination for investment, manufacturing and industrial development.
She stressed that Nigeria needs to move away from an economy heavily dependent on imports and consumption and instead focus on local production, value addition and industrialisation.
“Nigeria has the population, natural resources, entrepreneurial spirit and strategic location to serve as the gateway to the African market.”
Adigun-Oladotun said Nigeria would need deliberate investment in local manufacturing, innovation and value-added processing to achieve its economic ambitions.
“To become an economic powerhouse, we must deliberately accelerate industrialisation by prioritising local manufacturing, innovation, value-added processing and reducing our dependence on imports.”
She added that achieving this would require stronger investment, improved infrastructure, easier access to financing, advanced technology and deeper international partnerships.
NACCIMA Seeks Long-Term Chinese Partnerships
According to Adigun-Oladotun, NACCIMA established the Guangzhou Business and Investment Forum to develop long-term relationships with credible Chinese investors who can contribute to Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
She said the first two editions had already strengthened cooperation between NACCIMA and the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) Guangzhou, with support from Nigeria’s Consul General in Guangzhou, Ambassador Mairo Musa Abbas.
The partnership has reportedly opened opportunities for investment in several areas, including automobile and electric vehicle manufacturing, agribusiness, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals and industrial park development.
NACCIMA is now calling on federal, state and local governments, as well as private-sector players, to participate in the trade mission and use the platform to attract quality investments into Nigeria.
The organisation said the goal is not only to bring in foreign capital but also to promote technology transfer, strengthen local manufacturing and create sustainable employment opportunities.
Why Guangzhou Matters
Adigun-Oladotun described Guangzhou as one of the world’s major manufacturing and commercial centres, making it an important location for Nigerian businesses seeking international partnerships.
She encouraged Nigerian companies to take advantage of the forum and establish strategic relationships with Chinese manufacturers and investors capable of supporting the country’s industrialisation drive.
NACCIMA believes deeper partnerships with Chinese businesses could help Nigeria expand its productive capacity, reduce import dependence and accelerate progress towards the Federal Government’s $1 trillion economy ambition by 2030.
Source: NACCIMA.
