The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce is targeting to increase trade volumes between Nigeria and the United States of America through its trade mission.
Sheriff Balogun, president of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, who made this known during the 64th general meeting of the chamber held in Lagos recently, said that the trade mission is strategic in tapping partnerships to boost trade between the two countries.
“We are planning a trade mission for September to the start of Florida – Miami, with a focus on agriculture, food & beverage, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, technology and packaging, among other value chains,” Balogun said.
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“We are working with the California State Transportation Agency, UC Davis, the Bay Area Council and a coalition of public and private sector leaders from across California on a high-level business meeting,” he explained.
He noted that the 10-day mission would foster partnerships in climate innovation, sustainable infrastructure, trade and technology.
Speaking on Trump’s 14 percent tariffs on Nigerian exports to the U.S., he said the country stands at an advantage over other countries with higher tariffs.
He urged manufacturers to take advantage of the opportunities the Trump tariffs provide in products the country has a comparative advantage in its production.
Balogun also commended the federal government’s commitment in stabilising the economy through fiscal and monetary policies, alongside structural reforms and social protection to foster sustainable growth and reduce poverty.
Speaking on key milestones in 2024, the president said the chamber collaborated and implemented several projects that contributed significantly to its position as the foremost bilateral trade promotion in the country.
Speaking also, Violet Abdulkadir, trade mission committee chair of the chamber, noted that the chamber is focused on creating business opportunities for agri-led businesses, especially in building partnerships and collaborations.
According to her, the trade team will visit export processing zones and warehouses in the United States.
She urged businesses seeking to export their produce to the U.S. to participate in the trade mission, assuring them of value for their investments.
Abdulkadir added that the exportable products of participating businesses will be evaluated to meet the standards of the U.S. market before being exported.
She called on interested businesses to contact the chamber between now and the third week of July to indicate interest.
Wofai Samuel, acting director-general of the chamber, speaking on the outcome of the 2024 trade mission, said the outcome was a huge shift and improvement from what was obtainable in 2023.
“Successes included the government of Illinois Inbound Trade Mission to Nigeria, a high-impact trade mission from the State of Illinois, featuring nine Illinois companies, officials from the Illinois Department of Commerce, over 200 Nigerian businesses, representatives of the Lagos State Government, the U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria, and the diplomatic community.”
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“This event facilitated market entry and business opportunities between the regions.”
Others, she said, are the African Food & Products Exhibition, with over 100 exhibitors and hundreds of visitors, held for the first time after six years.
According to her, partnerships were cemented with prominent platforms such as the U.S.-Africa Trade Desk, Turkish Airlines, the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce.
Samuel noted that the milestones have contributed significantly to what the name of the chamber represents.
