President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to facilitating smoother trade operations for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. This commitment was emphasized during the Africa International Trade Exhibition (AITE) 2023’s Business, Trade, and Investment Summit.
Mr. Tunde MacAlabi, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Business, Trade and Investment Summit, conveyed this assurance, highlighting the significance of this pledge for SMEs.
Represented by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, President Tinubu assured investors that the Federal Government would implement necessary measures to enhance trade ease within the country.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, urged both local and foreign investors to tap into Nigeria’s substantial population, thriving aviation market, and traffic, emphasizing the potential in investing in world-class Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities.
Keyamo highlighted the scarcity of MRO facilities in West Africa, necessitating domestic airlines to transport their aircraft overseas for maintenance, resulting in lengthy waiting times.
Khuraira Musa, CEO of K-Pro Consulting and author of “The Audacity of an African Girl,” as well as President of the Arewa Development Support Initiative (ADSI), emphasized the event’s goal of attracting investors to Nigeria. The aim is to establish industries for processing and manufacturing raw materials within the country, creating employment opportunities for youth and women.
Musa stressed the need for a shift in Nigeria’s business paradigm, advocating for a departure from the practice of exporting raw materials for minimal returns. The outcomes of this gathering are expected to make a significant and enduring impact on the economic landscape, not only in Nigeria but on a global scale.
The event witnessed the presence of dignitaries including FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmud, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, Osun governor’s wife, Titiola Adeleke, Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, Amb. Adeyinka Asekun, and others. This reaffirms the collective effort towards fostering growth and prosperity in the Nigerian business sphere.
