On the 5th November 2017 Africa House London made a second trade mission to Nigeria. The five day trip was intended to be part of the organisation’s mission of boosting direct trade between UK companies and businesses in the Sub-Sahara Africa. Spear headed by one of Africa House London’s directors, Mr. Emmanuel Finndoro-obasi, this mission was projected to act as follow up to the 2017 pioneering trade Mission to Nigeria. The main objective was to implement business meetings with key stakeholders in Nigeria both private & public through:
On the ground company visits.
Business to business networking & seminars.
Enabling UK companies to tap into the current direct investment opportunities in Nigeria.
Providing UK companies with one to one dialogues with decision makers.
Supporting UK in gaining on ground insight into the country’s investment climate.
The trip was supported by the Trade & Investment desk of the Nigerian High commission in London. The delegation from UK was accompanied by Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone. She said:
“Our visit was very well organised, the security and the accommodation was excellent, and our delegates were provided with a packed week of opportunities to make new business relationships.It was a most valuable and worthwhile visit in my opinion. Nigeria is clearly, and seriously, open for business with the UK.Nigerian companies and senior government ministers warmly welcomed our delegation and set out many opportunities for trade and investment. I have known Africa House London for several years now and I see them as a really effective force for promoting trade, not just in Nigeria, but in the wider African continent.”
The businesses on the mission included Eagle Scientific Ltd, Cooper Technologies Ltd, HME Technology Ltd, Donos Engineering Ltd, and Coventry University.
They were received in Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment headed by Minister Okechukwu Enelamah, who were keen to assure them that the country is able to attract more foreign investors. Others included: Hon Geoffrey Onyeama Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lt Gen. (rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau Minister of Interior, representative from the African Development Bank; Messr. Mensah & Akinwunmi, Mr. Usain Usain Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Rotimi Emaechi Minister of Transport, Mr. Ogbonnana Onu Minster of Science and Technology.
Various programmes were arranged to ensure that businesses maximised their stay in the country. They engaged with companies like Africa Development Bank, for Infrastructure, Agriculture and Technology opportunities. Dangote Ltd was very active in networking for agriculture, Infrastructures; BAMAS Royals Ltd provided proposals in Agriculture. The State Governments of Niger, Lagos and Abia expressed interests in all sectors.
Follow-up visit and discussions are on-going and back to Nigeria to progress with transactions and opportunities in: Road construction, Agricultural firming, Housing, establishing vocational training centres and establishing Design & Technology in schools.
AHL continues to assist British businesses interested in investing in the continent. This trip is part of a series of Trade Missions to other countries in Sub-Sahara Africa.
For more information contact Africa House London: info@africahouselondon.com