Onwubuke Melvin
The President of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Adebola Williams, has affirmed the chamber’s commitment to promoting the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises, to ensure their sustainability and compliance with international standards.
This disclosure was made during her press briefing on Monday for the forthcoming 2024 edition of the Africa Foods & Products Exhibition themed “Actualising Sustainable Economic Growth’ – “Think Global, Be Local” which is scheduled to take place in April in Lagos, according to The Punch
Williams, said, “The NACC facilitates bilateral trade between the USA and Nigeria through networking, advocacy, and investments.
“Our focus is on SMEs and micro-enterprises, providing platforms for business connections, profile building, and exploring global opportunities. We emphasise the transformation of Nigerian products into finished goods for export, aiming to maximize revenue.
“The chamber engages with policymakers to address business growth concerns and act as a link between Nigerian and American businesses.”
The platform has been described by the acting Director General of NACC, Ms Wofia Samuel as a tool that will allow Nigerian small and medium sized enterprises to strengthen partnerships with similar businesses operating Africa and the rest of the world, connect importers, producers, suppliers, distributors or retailers.
“The opportunity reinforces Nigeria’s position as the biggest market in Africa and will create new entry paths to for emerging products.
“We look forward to the influx of visitors not just in Nigeria, but in other parts of the continent and the success of this edition will re-echo the Chamber’s position as indeed foremost for promoting intra-African trade,” she averred.
Meanwhile, in his remark, the Chairman of the African Foods & Products Exhibition Committee, Ayo Stuffman, noted that the exhibition would be a platform for Nigerian businesses, both members and non-members, to showcase their products.
It will also provide SMEs with insights from established businesses to improve their practices, according to Stuffman.
He said, “This underscores the vital role chambers play in economic development. Collaboration among stakeholders like policymakers, industry leaders, and organisations is essential to creating a favourable business environment for growth and economic contribution.”
The Vice Chairman of the African Foods & Products Exhibition Committee, Ms Yemisi Ogundipe, added, “The theme is apt considering the current situation of the Nigerian economy. The chamber has identified that many businesses are facing challenges, possibly due to government policies and other factors. It is essential to ensure the sustainability of businesses, as they are a crucial component of the economy.”
She underlined the importance of SMEs’ success, noting that many will disappear in less than five years.
“The NACC aims to make them sustainable and uses the exhibition to inform business owners about the Nigerian economy’s current state and how to achieve gradual, sustainable growth.
“As a chamber, we urge Nigerian business owners to think globally due to foreign investment interests in our economy,” she expounded.
Ogundipe called on businesses to adopt international trade practices, since the local attitude may not be accepted globally.
