Nigeria is committed to strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties with the United States, according to the Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda. Speaking at the 14th Annual Trade and Investment Summit of the Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce in Cleveland, Ohio, Jidda emphasized Nigeria's openness to business and urged U.S. stakeholders and the Nigerian diaspora business community to invest in key sectors of the Nigerian economy, leveraging reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ambassador Jidda highlighted that the volume of trade between Nigeria and the U.S. exceeded $8.1 billion in 2024, with Nigeria’s non-oil exports to the U.S. growing by over 15 percent. He pointed to policy shifts such as the removal of fuel subsidies, foreign exchange unification, tax reforms, and business environment enhancements as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to fostering a private sector-led, diversified economy. He also mentioned initiatives to liberalize trade, improve market access, and institutionalize legal and regulatory frameworks to protect foreign investment.

Jidda outlined ten key pillars driving Nigeria’s international trade and investment policy, including trade liberalization, investment protection, ease of doing business reforms, infrastructure modernization, export diversification, and public-private partnerships. Improvements such as online company registration within 24 hours, digitized port operations, special economic zones, tax holidays, and visa-on-arrival policies are designed to lower barriers and facilitate entry for foreign businesses.

Growth opportunities were cited in agribusiness, FinTech, energy transition, pharmaceutical manufacturing, real estate, tourism, shipping, and creative industries. Jidda commended the Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce for promoting sustainable bilateral economic cooperation and praised Nigerians in the diaspora for their contributions to national development.

The Founding CEO of the Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Leo Kareem, noted the organization’s mission to promote bilateral trade and empower small businesses across continents since its founding in 2010. The 2025 theme, ‘Promoting U.S. and Nigerian Exports to Emerging Markets’, underscores the chamber’s commitment to building inclusive economic bridges and fostering business partnerships. The summit included participation from Amb. Franklin Ogunyemi, Consul for Trade and Investment at the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York, who engaged with U.S. stakeholders on trade facilitation and investment partnerships.