Ejiro Efenudu
The Continental Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) Africa and renowned Professor of ICT, Professor Jude Osakwe, has launched a bold and transformative initiative aimed at placing Nigerian entrepreneurs at the forefront of Africa’s economic renaissance.
This strategic Export Promotion Initiative comes at a critical moment, as Africa moves to unlock the vast potential of its $3.4 trillion market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The initiative was formally unveiled following a highly successful inaugural event held in Lagos State, Nigeria, where stakeholders from across the public and private sectors gathered to engage in dialogue on trade expansion, diaspora-led business development, and Nigeria’s positioning in the evolving African economy.
Building on the momentum from the inaugural event, NIDO Africa is now preparing for its second interactive seminar on promoting Made-in-Nigeria exports, scheduled to take place on July 22, 2025, at the Banquet Hall of De Rembrandt Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The seminar is expected to bring together exporters, investors, policymakers, diaspora leaders, and small business owners for in-depth discussions, training sessions, and strategic matchmaking.
The landmark initiative is designed to position Nigerian businesses—especially small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs)—for success in regional and international export markets. It also seeks to increase intra-African trade and stimulate Nigeria’s contribution to the continent’s economic transformation.
The export initiative will feature a series of programs and services including:
Export-readiness training and mentorship for SMEs
Trade facilitation support and product standardization
Participation in regional and international trade fairs
Creation of diaspora-led trade bridges across the continent
Prof. Osakwe announced that the Lagos event is the first in a series of upcoming engagements across African countries. NIDO Africa plans to host regional roadshows, sector-specific trade missions, and collaborative workshops in partnership with export councils, trade associations, and diaspora groups.
“Our mission is clear: to bridge the gap between Nigerian innovation and African demand. We are building a legacy of economic empowerment, trade integration, and continental cooperation through this initiative,” Prof. Osakwe concluded.
At the core of this initiative is NIDO Africa’s ambitious $3.4 trillion market expansion vision. The plan seeks to leverage Nigeria’s competitive strengths to unlock opportunities across the African continent under the evolving African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
In a press briefing jointly delivered with NIDO Africa’s Public Relations Officer, Ambassador Folaji Emmanuel Adura, and made available to journalists in Asaba, Delta State, Professor Osakwe emphasized that Nigerian businesses are uniquely poised to lead in Africa’s emerging single market. He highlighted the country’s strengths in innovation, product quality, and scalability, asserting that these assets position Nigeria as a central player in the continent’s economic renaissance.
“The vision is clear,” Osakwe said. “Nigeria has what it takes—agriculture, manufacturing, fashion, beauty, and technology. This seminar isn’t just another talk-shop. It’s a tactical step in a broader infrastructure rollout to facilitate Nigerian business expansion across Africa.”
Building on the overwhelming success of NIDO Africa’s inaugural seminar, which attracted stakeholders from key sectors, the upcoming event is expected to be even more impactful. The first seminar reportedly surpassed expectations, drawing high-profile participants from agriculture, fashion, manufacturing, and investment circles.
The July 22 seminar will feature hands-on export training and a live product exhibition, giving Nigerian entrepreneurs a direct platform to showcase their goods and services to buyers, distributors, and investment partners from across Africa. This real-time engagement is designed to facilitate immediate deal-making and foster long-term business relationships.
A key focus of the event will be equipping businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complex export landscape. Regulatory uncertainty and lack of clear market-entry strategies have long been barriers to Nigerian export success. According to Professor Osakwe, the seminar will offer detailed, step-by-step guidance on compliance, customs processes, and trade laws in various African markets.
“Many high-quality Nigerian products fail to reach international shelves, not because of a lack of potential, but due to the absence of structured pathways,” Osakwe noted. “We’re changing that by creating access, reducing risk, and providing clarity.”
One of the standout features of the new initiative is the establishment of pre-arranged marketing outlets and trusted distribution partnerships in key African markets. These measures are designed to eliminate some of the logistical and bureaucratic hurdles that have historically hindered cross-border business expansion.
Expert-led breakout sessions during the seminar will also provide sector-specific advice for businesses in agriculture, fashion, beauty, manufacturing, and technology—areas where Nigeria already enjoys a competitive edge. These interactive sessions will help participants align their strategies with regional demands and regulatory frameworks.
The seminar is being positioned as a cornerstone event in NIDO Africa’s long-term strategy to support Nigeria’s participation in intra-African trade, which is projected to grow by as much as 52% by 2030 under AfCFTA. Professor Osakwe pointed out that with its vast resources and dynamic population, Nigeria is naturally equipped to lead this new phase of continental integration.
Participation in the seminar will be limited to ensure quality engagement and personalized support. Professor Osakwe encouraged early registration, emphasizing that the event is a turning point for Nigerian enterprises ready to scale beyond local markets.
“This seminar is more than a conference—it’s a launchpad,” he said. “It’s where talk turns to action, and ambition becomes opportunity.”
