‘ Illinois’ trade mission to Nigeria will leave lasting impacts on both regions’

THE Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity – the Office of Trade and Investment, Government of Illinois – is set to implement an inbound trade mission from the United States to Nigeria.

Supported by the U. S. Small Business Administration, SBA, the Trade mission is scheduled for March 13th to 15th in Lagos.

Speaking with The Guardian, the Acting Director- General of the N i g e r i a n - A m e r i c a n Chamber of Commerce ( NACC), Wofai Samuel, stated that “the objectives of the mission include but are not limited to enabling Illinois businesses penetrate select sectors in the Nigerian market.” Priority sectors for the mission include manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, clean energy, technology, medical, beauty and cosmetics.

She further said that “the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity ( DCEO) continues to uphold the state’s recognition as a global economic powerhouse rated as the best to live, work and do business. Illinois is home to more than 1,900 major corporate headquarters and over 2,000 foreign businesses. The Inbound Trade Mission to Nigeria is one of the many ways the Illinois Department of Commerce’s Office of Trade and Investment ( OTI) connects Illinois- based, owned and run businesses to global opportunities.

“The trade mission will further establish the footprints and presence of Illinois in Africa’s largest economic market, Nigeria. The U. S. S m a l l B u s i n e s s Administration supports the mission, and Nigeria is honoured to welcome Illinois, the largest exporting state in the midwest and fourth largest in the U. S.”

International Trade Specialist, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Sam Ntum, stated that Illinois is home to world- class companies like

Caterpillar, John Deere, Mcdonald’s, Arcelormittal, amongst others, and if Illinois was a country, it would have the 18th largest economy in the world. Nigeria is the largest economy and most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of over 230 million, which is expected to approach 400 million by 2050, Nigeria is set to become the world’s fourth most populous country. Nigeria had an estimated gross domestic product of 477.38 billion USD in 2023.

The NACC serves the project as an implementation partner in- country and Dame Adebola Williams is the current president.