The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) participated at the Opening of the Biashara Afrika 2026 Summit held at Palais des Congres in Lomé, Togo, on Monday, 18th May 2026. The summit brought together key stakeholders from across Africa, including representatives of Chambers of Commerce, government institutions, development partners, investors, and private sector operators to deliberate on issues bordering on improvement in intra-African trade, regional integration, industrial development and investment promotion under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The NACCIMA delegation was led by the National President, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, mni, OON, alongside members of the delegation and Secretariat staff.
The Summit commenced with an opening ceremony attended by high-level dignitaries from different African countries. Speakers at the event emphasized the importance of strengthening economic cooperation among African nations through increased trade, investment partnerships, industrial collaboration, and improved value chains.
Deliberations during the opening session focused on:
• Enhancing regional trade integration under AfCFTA;
• Promoting industrialization and export competitiveness in Africa;
• Strengthening public-private sector collaboration;
• Improving access to finance for SMEs and emerging businesses;
• Addressing trade barriers and logistics challenges affecting cross-border trade within Africa.
Others present at the Opening Ceremony included:
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigerian Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment
Hon Badaman Patoki, Togolese Minister for Economy and Strategic Monitoring
Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana
Dr. George Elombi, President, Afreximbank, Cairo, Egypt
HE Issoufou Mahamadou, former President of Niger Republic, etc
The Summit was declared open by the Togolese President, HE Faure Esozinma Gnassingbe.
There were significant exhibitions by Nigerian companies consisting of NACCIMA members (inclusive of Women Chamber members), Oyo State delegates, etc. At the end, the Togolese President, Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment as well as the NACCIMA National President toured the exhibition stands and took photographs with exhibitors.
As part of further activities for the day, NACCIMA paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Lomé, Togo, on Monday, 18th May 2026.
The NACCIMA delegation was led by the National President, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, mni, OON and were received by the Charge d’Affairs, Amb Olajide Olanrewaju. The National President appreciated the Ambassador for granting the delegation audience at short notice. He noted that it is customary for NACCIMA to visit Nigerian Embassies in countries whenever and wherever the Association undertakes official engagements.
He thereafter introduced members of the delegation and gave a brief overview of NACCIMA, its mandate, and its role in promoting private sector development, trade, and investment.
The National President further informed the Ambassador that, as part of NACCIMA’s participation at the Biashara Afrika Summit, the Association intended to undertake several strategic engagements on Tuesday, 19th May 2026, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Togo Chamber of Commerce, as well as courtesy visits to the ECOWAS Bank and the Nigeria Export House.
In his response, the Ambassador warmly welcomed the NACCIMA delegation and described the visit as timely and important in advancing Nigeria’s economic and trade interests within the West African sub-region. He commended NACCIMA for its sustained efforts in promoting the Nigerian private sector and strengthening regional economic cooperation.
The National President also shared his experience travelling by road along the regional corridor, noting that there was still much to be done in improving trade facilitation and regional integration within the ECOWAS region. He expressed optimism that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would help address some of the existing challenges.
The Ambassador concurred with the observations raised and noted that similar concerns had been identified in the course of diplomatic engagements. He appreciated NACCIMA for the visit and promises to release an Embassy staff to accompany the delegation on its futher visitations whilst in Togo. The meeting concluded with exchange of pleasantries and photographs.
