The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has convened a strategic Roundtable ahead of the forthcoming 4th India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-4) in New Delhi, with stakeholders calling for a more “transactional” and investment-driven Nigeria–India partnership.
The Roundtable, themed “Beyond Bilateral: Co-creating Nigeria’s Strategic Trade & Investment Roadmap for the India–Africa Summit,” brought together key players from the public and private sectors to shape Nigeria’s position ahead of the summit.
This was contained in a statement by Olayemi John-Mensah. ACCI Media and Strategy Officer.
In his welcome address, the convener of the roundtable, ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, stressed the need to move beyond traditional bilateral trade relations toward a structured partnership focused on industrialisation, manufacturing, renewable energy, technology transfer, digital innovation, and value-added trade. He noted that while India remains one of Nigeria’s key trade partners, both countries must deepen cooperation in sectors capable of driving economic growth and employment.
The roundtable attracted participants from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), ACCI Executive Committee members, and other organised private sector stakeholders.
Former ACCI President and Chairman of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre (NCC-DRC), Prince Kayode, CON, SAN, FCIArb, while speaking during the context-setting session, urged Nigeria to approach the India–Africa Summit from a position of strategic relevance rather than dependency.
According to him, Nigeria must leverage its status as Africa’s largest market and gateway to the ECOWAS region of over 400 million consumers to negotiate partnerships that support industrial development, infrastructure financing, energy security, and local manufacturing.
He emphasized that the summit should deliver tangible outcomes through bankable projects, joint ventures, and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in priority sectors such as affordable housing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, logistics, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals.
Stakeholders also called for improved market access for Nigerian exports, reduced trade imbalances, and stronger collaboration on LNG, renewable energy, and mineral development.
The ACCI 2nd Deputy President, Aliyu Idi Hong, praised the initiative, noting that the Roundtable would help the Nigerian private sector take a coordinated and stronger position at the summit. He further advocated for the establishment of a dedicated Nigeria–India Summit focused specifically on business networking and strengthening economic relations between both countries.
Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), represented by Adekunle Obatimehin, called for a strategic shift in Nigeria’s trade relationship with India from exporting raw materials to value-added products, industrialisation, and stronger manufacturing partnerships.
She noted that while India remains one of Nigeria’s major trading partners, the current trade structure is unsustainable as Nigeria predominantly exports primary commodities while importing finished goods.
She emphasized the need for deliberate policy reforms, improved infrastructure, stronger standards and certification systems, and deeper integration into regional and global value chains to enhance Nigeria’s export competitiveness.
She further highlighted key initiatives introduced by the NEPC to strengthen non-oil exports, including the establishment of Common Facility Centres, the “Go Global, Go Certification” programme for SMEs, and the STDF 845 partnership with the WTO/ITC aimed at improving food safety standards for Nigerian exports. Ayeni also identified agriculture, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, manufacturing, digital trade, and healthcare as major areas of opportunity for Nigeria–India collaboration, adding that Nigeria’s participation in the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) positions the country as a strategic investment gateway for Indian businesses seeking access to African markets.
In his closing remarks, the Executive Director of the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC), Chidiebere Onwumere, emphasized that Nigeria must position itself as Africa’s economic gateway and pursue partnerships built on innovation, industrialisation, local manufacturing, and shared prosperity. He also stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between government institutions, chambers of commerce, policy organisations, and the organised private sector.
Other distinguished participants at the event included ACCI Vice President, Agriculture, Mr Olasetmi Bode Thompson; ACCI Vice President, ICT and Digital Economy, Dr Chigozie Igwe; Executive Director of the Abuja Trade Centre, Mr Ezekwesili Nnaemeka; and General Council member, Hajia Huawa Usman.
The Roundtable concluded with proposals for a Nigeria–India Strategic Trade and Investment Roadmap (2027–2032), the establishment of an ACCI India Business Working Group, and the preparation of investment-ready projects ahead of the summit.
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