Representatives of the Nigerian government have held a pivotal business partnership meeting with United States companies to identify and harness investment opportunities for Nigerian enterprises.
The U.S.-Nigeria Executive Roundtable occurred at the St. Regis Hotel and coincided with the 79th United Nations General Assembly.
Vice President Kashim Shettima led the Nigerian delegation, which included critical sector figures. The American Business Council Nigeria organized the meeting in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, building on the momentum from last year’s event, which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrated at NASDAQ.
President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center, Kendra Gaither, set a positive tone by highlighting Nigeria’s vast investment potential. “The resilience and innovation from Nigeria’s startup ecosystem drive impressive economic growth and job creation for millions of youth,” she stated.
Also, Nisha Biswal, the deputy chief executive officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), detailed critical funding initiatives designed to enhance Nigeria’s economic landscape.
She announced a $200 million loan to the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Corporation to improve affordable housing for middle- and lower-income citizens.
Furthermore, Biswal unveiled plans for a $100 million loan to First City Monument Bank (FCMB) to support women-owned SMEs and a $20 million commitment to bolster the agricultural sector.
Vice President Shettima praised these initiatives, underscoring the importance of investing in women. “Educating a woman is educating a nation,” he emphasised, highlighting the profound impact such investments can have on society.
The roundtable included an engaging Q&A session, allowing attendees to interact directly with Shettima and share updates on various projects. Farouk Gumel, Vice Chairman of TGI, noted the benefits of U.S. investments, citing a $200 million DFC facility that has significantly supported local SMEs.
Google’s policy lead for Sub-Saharan Africa, Charles Murito, updated Shettima on Google’s plans to empower women through digital skills training. The company targets training 20,000 women, and he revealed that 5,000 have already completed training in Kaduna.
In closing, Vice President Shettima made a compelling appeal to U.S. businesses: “Nigeria is open for business. We offer unrivalled investment opportunities and serve as the gateway to the African market.” He assured potential investors of the stability and profitability Nigeria offers, bolstered by the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
This strategic meeting positioned Nigeria as a prime destination for U.S. investments, signalling a renewed commitment to forging solid economic partnerships that promise mutual growth.
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