NACCIMA to Lead Business and Investment Forum 3.0 to Strengthen Nigeria-China Economic Partnership

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has unveiled plans for the third edition of its flagship Business and Investment Forum, a key initiative aimed at catalyzing Nigeria’s journey toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030. This strategic platform underscores Nigeria’s commitment to attracting sustainable foreign direct investment (FDI) and deepening economic ties with China, aligning with the ambitious goals set forth in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The announcement was made by NACCIMA’s National Public Relations Officer, Madinat Adigun-Oladotun, revealing that the forum will take place in Guangzhou, China, alongside the 140th Canton Fair — one of the world’s most influential international trade exhibitions. The event aims to connect Nigerian stakeholders with leading Chinese investors, manufacturers, industrialists, and business executives across diverse sectors, unlocking new avenues for investment and economic growth.

According to Adigun-Oladotun, the Guangzhou forum is a deliberate effort to position Nigeria as a thriving hub for manufacturing, value addition, and industrial development. She emphasized that Nigeria must move beyond being solely a consumer market to becoming an investment destination for manufacturing, innovation, and infrastructure development.

“Nigeria has the population, natural resources, entrepreneurial spirit and strategic location to serve as the gateway to the African market. To become an economic powerhouse, we must deliberately accelerate industrialization by prioritising local manufacturing, innovation, value-added processing and reducing our dependence on imports,” she stated.

She added that achieving this vision requires strategic investments, improved infrastructure, access to finance, advanced technology, and robust international partnerships. The Business and Investment Forum in Guangzhou is designed to build lasting bridges with credible Chinese investors committed to mutually beneficial collaborations.

Reflecting on the success of previous editions, Adigun-Oladotun noted that the initiative has laid a strong foundation for long-term partnerships with members of the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC), Guangzhou, with active support from the Nigerian Consul General in Guangzhou, Ambassador Mairo Musa Abbas. These collaborations are already yielding promising opportunities in sectors such as automobile and electric vehicle manufacturing, agribusiness, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and industrial park development.

She called on stakeholders across federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector leaders, to participate actively in the upcoming trade mission. The platform offers a unique opportunity to attract high-quality investments, promote technology transfer, strengthen local manufacturing, encourage skills development, and create sustainable jobs.

The NACCIMA spokesperson also urged state governments to showcase their investment potential by registering for the forum, emphasizing that it is an ideal platform to engage directly with credible Chinese investors and secure partnerships aligned with their economic strengths.

Describing Guangzhou as a global leader in commerce and manufacturing, and home to the renowned Canton Fair, Adigun-Oladotun encouraged Nigerian businesses and investors to seize the opportunity to join the trade mission. She expressed confidence that the initiative will foster strategic partnerships capable of shaping Nigeria’s economic future and accelerating the country’s industrial transformation.