The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), through its National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC), has called for policies that promote fair competition, strengthen indigenous enterprises and encourage responsible foreign investment in Nigeria.
The call was made at a policy webinar held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, themed “Protecting Local Business, Promoting Fair Competition: Rethinking Foreign Participation in Nigeria’s Retail Economy.” The webinar brought together representatives of government agencies, business associations and the private sector to examine the challenges facing local businesses and explore strategies for creating a fair and competitive retail environment.
This was contained in a statement by Assistant Media Officer, ACCI, Amina Abdullahi Samuel.
In her welcome address, delivered on behalf of the Director-General of ACCI, the Deputy Director-General, Dr. Tinuke Temitope, emphasised the importance of protecting indigenous enterprises while fostering a business environment that promotes fair competition. She stressed the need to review existing policies and strengthen their implementation to address concerns surrounding foreign participation in Nigeria’s retail sector.
She noted that the webinar provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss practical measures to strengthen local businesses without discouraging legitimate foreign investment.
Representing the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Barrister Frederick Omatseyin, Principal Legal Officer, Anti-Competition Practices Department, discussed Nigeria’s regulatory framework for fair competition and consumer protection. He highlighted the role of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, in promoting responsible business conduct and ensuring that competition rules are applied fairly to businesses, irrespective of their size or origin.
Similarly, Zainab Ochojila, Deputy Director, External Relations, Department of Policy Advocacy, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), stressed that foreign investment should complement indigenous enterprise development through improved access to finance and technology, stronger partnerships with local suppliers and consistent policy implementation.
A major highlight of the webinar was a panel session featuring Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, ACCI Vice President, Commerce; Professor Jonathan Adeyemi-Aremu, Chairman of NACCIMA’s Trade and Investment Group; and Dr. Ken Okaoha, National President of the National Association of Nigerian Traders.
The panel examined the challenges confronting indigenous businesses and the need to balance foreign investment with effective protection for local enterprises against unfair competitive practices. Discussions focused on concerns that some foreign businesses may enjoy competitive advantages through subsidies, export support and access to lower-interest financing.
Dr. Okaoha called for a review of Nigeria’s trade agreements with countries, including South Africa, China and Bangladesh, to assess their implications for domestic traders and productive enterprises.
In his contribution, Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu underscored the importance of fair competition in improving business quality and creating opportunities for Nigerian enterprises. He also highlighted inadequate coordination among ministries, departments and agencies as a major challenge, noting that regulatory gaps and infrastructure constraints, particularly unreliable electricity supply, undermine the competitiveness of local businesses.
He called for stronger collaboration between government institutions and the private sector to improve the ease of doing business and create a more supportive environment for indigenous enterprises.
Other contributions came from the Nigerian Customs Service, represented by AC David Onoja, and the Lagos State International Trade Fair Management Board, represented by Miss Nyong Queen Nsa-Anwan, Personal Assistant to the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Barr. Vera Sefiya Ndanusa. Their contributions addressed issues relating to trade regulation, import restrictions and engagement between local businesses and foreign business communities.
In his closing remarks, the Executive Director of NPAC and convener of the webinar, Dr. Chidiebere Onwumere, appreciated the participants and presenters for their insightful contributions, in-depth analysis and constructive discussions. He stated that the key issues and recommendations arising from the webinar would be documented and shared with relevant stakeholders to support further engagement and policy advocacy.
The webinar concluded with a commitment by NPAC to develop policy recommendations based on the deliberations and engage relevant government institutions and stakeholders on their implementation.
The discussions reinforced the need for improved regulatory coordination, stronger support for indigenous businesses and policies that ensure the benefits of foreign investment extend to Nigerian enterprises, workers and local suppliers.
Amina Abdullahi Samuel
Assistant Media Officer, ACCI
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