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The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has unveiled the Association and Chamber Excellence (ACE) Certification Program, a new initiative to professionalise the management of chambers of commerce and business associations across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Developed in collaboration with the University of Lagos through its Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC), the program is aimed at strengthening governance, sharpening advocacy, and positioning chambers as credible voices of the private sector in policy debates.
Launching the program on Tuesday, CIPE officials said the initiative responds to long-standing weaknesses that have limited the effectiveness of Nigerian chambers. While chambers and associations are expected to represent business interests, many have struggled with weak structures, fragmented advocacy, and limited policy influence. The ACE certification is designed to close those gaps by equipping leaders with practical skills in governance, finance, compliance, anti-corruption, communication, and digital systems.
“Chambers and associations are the voice of business and the vehicle for shaping inclusive, market-oriented policy,” said Andrew Wilson, executive director of CIPE. “This program is not just teaching skills; it is empowering leaders to implement policies, strengthen governance, and transform their chambers. Sending one executive through ACE creates benefits for many.”
The certification, which begins in January 2026, will run as a hybrid program combining online and in-person learning. The first cohort will undertake a 40-hour intensive session designed to expose executives and managers to practical lessons they can apply immediately. CIPE said the approach builds on its global experience, pointing to Kenya, where 16 chambers reported stronger governance and better stakeholder engagement after similar programs.
For Nigeria, the timing is critical. More than 200 chambers and associations exist across the country, but many operate below potential, limiting their ability to serve members, influence reforms, or attract investment. Analysts note that the absence of strong chambers has weakened the private sector’s collective bargaining power, leaving businesses to navigate regulatory bottlenecks largely on their own.
“This is more than training,” said Folasade Ogunsola, vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos. “We are equipping chamber executives and association leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to drive sustainable growth and effective policy implementation. The benefits extend beyond Nigeria to the entire African business ecosystem, supporting trade and investment partnerships.”
Stakeholders in the sector see the certification as a chance to restore credibility. Toki Mabogunje, former president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the program “is bridging the gap between theory and practice in chamber management. Leaders are gaining strategic insight and hands-on skills that enable chambers to thrive, innovate, and represent business interests effectively.”
Read also: CIPE opens Africa hub to drive private-sector growth
Organisers also stressed that the program would not be free, noting that paid participation encourages commitment and ensures sustainability. Fees will be set at a level meant to cover costs without shutting out smaller chambers. “Anything that is free is not acceptable,” one facilitator remarked, arguing that chambers must treat professional development as an investment rather than an optional extra.
Beyond improving management standards, ACE is also intended to create a pipeline of homegrown experts who can replicate reforms across the continent. By embedding the certification at a Nigerian university, CIPE hopes to institutionalise capacity-building rather than rely on ad hoc donor projects.
If the program works as intended, it could strengthen the private sector’s role in policy consultations and improve accountability within chambers. That, in turn, may help rebuild investor confidence in an economy still struggling with high inflation, patchy growth and policy uncertainty.
“The ultimate goal,” Wilson said, “is to grow economies by strengthening the institutions that represent business. ACE is one step in making that happen.”
