In a powerful address at the 14th Annual Trade and Investment Summit hosted by the Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) in Cleveland, Ohio, Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, reaffirmed Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to deepening economic ties with the United States.
The summit, held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, served as a vibrant platform for fostering cross-border trade, empowering small businesses, and unlocking new investment opportunities between the two nations.
Under the theme “Promoting U.S. and Nigerian Exports to Emerging Markets,” this year’s summit attracted a diverse group of policymakers, trade experts, entrepreneurs, and investors from both Nigeria and the United States.
Ambassador Jidda’s keynote address underscored Nigeria’s evolving investment landscape, shaped by far-reaching reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “We are reforming, we are resilient, and we are ready,” Jidda declared, urging American investors and the Nigerian diaspora to capitalize on Nigeria’s economic potential.
He emphasized the need to move “from diplomacy to concrete deliverables,” highlighting the longstanding bilateral relationship as a foundation for tangible economic progress.
Jidda pointed to key reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, the unification of foreign exchange rates, and comprehensive tax and regulatory changes, as evidence of Nigeria’s determination to create a business-friendly environment driven by private-sector growth. “No serious investor looking for long-term growth and attractive returns can afford to ignore Nigeria,” he stated, citing the country’s strategic reforms and vast market potential.
He also commended the Nigerians in diaspora for their entrepreneurial spirit and contributions to national development, noting that their remittances, expertise, and investments are pivotal to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
In his welcome remarks, NUSACC Founding CEO Leo Kareem reflected on the chamber’s journey since its inception in 2010. “This summit has traveled between the United States and Nigeria, strengthening our mission to promote bilateral trade and empower small businesses across continents,” Kareem said.
He highlighted the chamber’s role in facilitating business-to-business connections, providing consulting support, and conducting market studies for American businesses interested in Nigeria’s diverse economy. The 2025 summit, hosted at a premier venue in Cleveland from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST, featured high-level discussions, networking sessions, and engagements focused on export growth and strategic partnerships with emerging markets.
The summit also showcased NUSACC’s broader initiatives, including seminars, trade exhibitions, and business matchmaking services, aimed at connecting Nigerian and American entrepreneurs.
Jidda assured investors that Nigerian missions in the U.S. are prepared to support business ventures, facilitate engagements, and bridge institutional gaps, citing government-backed financing mechanisms like the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and the Development Bank of Nigeria as key enablers.
The event comes at a time of renewed momentum in U.S.-Nigeria economic relations. In July 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Nigeria’s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance bilateral trade and investment, signaling a shared commitment to inclusive economic growth and job creation.
The summit’s focus on exports to emerging markets aligns with global trends, as both nations seek to leverage their complementary strengths in sectors such as agriculture, technology, and infrastructure.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
As Nigeria positions itself as a leading investment destination in Africa, the 14th Annual Trade and Investment Summit underscored the critical role of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable growth.
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