The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) on Wednesday hosted the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, The Right Honourable Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, at a high-level Nigeria–Lesotho Business-to-Business (B2B) Meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and private sector collaboration between the two African nations.
The Prime Minister led a high-powered delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho to the Chamber, where he was received on behalf of the President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, by the 2nd Deputy President of the Chamber, Dr Aliyu Idi Hong.
The meeting provided a strategic platform for business leaders from both countries to explore investment opportunities, deepen commercial relations, and identify practical areas of cooperation across key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, infrastructure, hospitality, tourism, information technology, and other emerging industries.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Hong described the engagement as a significant milestone in advancing economic diplomacy and promoting stronger commercial ties between Nigeria and Lesotho. He noted that the meeting reflects the shared commitment of both countries to expanding intra-African trade, attracting investments, and creating sustainable prosperity through private sector collaboration.
He reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to serving as Nigeria’s foremost private sector institution, promoting trade, commerce, investment, enterprise development, and policy advocacy while facilitating strategic partnerships that support economic growth across Africa.
He further highlighted the Chamber’s strategic Centres, the Abuja Trade Centre, the Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC), and the Dispute Resolution Centre (DRC), which provide comprehensive support to businesses through investment promotion, capacity building, policy advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution.
Addressing participants, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, The Right Honourable Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, stated that his visit to Abuja was aimed at presenting the vast business opportunities available in Lesotho and connecting the country’s businesses with Nigerian investors and entrepreneurs.
He expressed Lesotho’s readiness to build enduring partnerships with Nigerian businesses, emphasising that the Kingdom is open to investment and collaboration with partners who share a common vision for economic transformation.
“Our mission is to build meaningful business relationships that will transform partnerships into investments and investments into prosperity for our people,” the Prime Minister said, while encouraging the Nigerian business community to explore the numerous opportunities available in Lesotho.
The Prime Minister also commended Nigeria’s vibrant private sector and expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between businesses in both countries would unlock new opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of ACCI, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, welcomed the Lesotho delegation and stated that the Chamber is the most appropriate platform to champion business cooporations and collaboration, trade facilitation and mutual market access while he called for sustained collaboration and stronger partnerships between businesses in both countries to translate dialogue into tangible investments.
The Minister of Industry and Business Development of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Hon. Motlatsi Mwalepo, stressed the importance of focused and purposeful engagement between governments and the private sector, noting that meaningful business interactions are essential for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.
The Chairman and Publisher of the African Leadership Organisation (ALO), Dr Ola Giami, urged African business leaders to play a more active role in influencing government policies that promote economic growth and regional integration. He described ACCI as a trusted platform for business networking, investor engagement, and facilitating credible investment opportunities.
Participants from both countries expressed optimism that the Nigeria–Lesotho Business-to-Business Meeting would pave the way for increased trade, stronger investment flows, joint ventures, technology transfer, and sustainable economic cooperation under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The meeting concluded with business networking sessions designed to foster strategic partnerships and create lasting commercial relationships between Nigerian and Lesotho enterprises.
