BEGINNING OF YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

Dear American Business Council Members and Partners,

As we usher in 2025, I extend my warmest greetings to you all. This new year brings immense promise and opportunities to deepen our collective impact, foster innovation, and navigate the challenges ahead with resilience and collaboration.

The past year, though tough, was transformative for the American Business Council. Despite a challenging business environment and the departure of two members, we achieved double-digit growth across various categories, a testament to the trust and confidence placed in our mission. This progress reflects our shared dedication to fostering a thriving business environment in Nigeria.

Highlights of 2024:

2024 was marked by numerous accomplishments that reinforced our position as a key driver of bilateral trade, investment, and economic development:

? Key Events:

To address critical issues such as the ease of doing business and foreign direct investment (FDI), we organized and partnered on impactful programs, including the ABC Town Hall Meeting on 2024 Headwinds, the Existing Foreign Direct Investment Roundtable with the Office of the Vice President, and the ABC Roundtable with the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Reforms, Honourable Taiwo Oyedele. These events provided platforms for thought leadership, policy advocacy, and knowledge sharing, directly addressing members’ concerns as identified in the annual ABC Membership Survey.

High-profile guests at these events included representatives from the Nigerian government, such as the Honourable Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Finance, as well as His Excellency Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

? Corporate Engagements and Partnerships:

Collaborating with partners like the US Chamber of Commerce, we engaged the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, during UNGA 79, and hosted the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso during the IMF Spring Meeting.

Additionally, we further strengthened our advocacy for policy improvements through MOUs and Letters of Understanding with organizations such as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Committee (PEBEC), the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), and other MDAs.

? U.S. Government Collaborations:

We deepened our collaboration with the U.S. Mission, including the U.S. Commercial Service, USAID, USTDA and the Economic and Political Team, to advance advocacy efforts for U.S. companies in Nigeria.

The Council engaged with sub-national governments like Kaduna and Anambra, creating opportunities for growth and investment. Our participation in the Binational Commission(BNC) discussions, hosting of the AI Conference Reception and engagements with the Nigeria-U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Committee underscored our role in facilitating critical dialogues.

? High-Profile Engagements:

Key dialogues with U.S. government officials, including Assistant Secretary of Commerce Arun Venkataraman, and engagements with Nigerian officials led to meaningful discussions on trade facilitation, business continuity, and investment.

? Community Impact:

Strengthening the American business community remained central to our efforts. Initiatives such as the Funfair, Thanksgiving with a Focus on Giving Tuesday, and partnerships with Draper University underscored our commitment to community networking and social impact.

? Digital Growth and Visibility:

Our traditional and social media presence expanded significantly, with double-digit growth. The ABC Business Exchange Podcast gained traction, featuring episodes on topics like social impact, trade facilitation, and gender inclusion. Partnerships with organizations such as the Spelling Bee and NABU further enhanced our corporate citizen image.

Looking Ahead to 2025:

As we move forward, our priorities include:

? Advocating for reforms to ensure ease of doing business and protecting U.S. FDIs in Nigeria.

? Promoting bilateral trade and fostering regional growth in Nigeria and the sub-region.

? Empowering SMEs and driving scalability in the digital economy through AGOA initiatives and support for ABC Start-Up Associate Members.

? Strengthening infrastructure investments in technology, consumer, healthcare, and clean energy.

These goals align with our mission to create an enabling environment for American businesses while contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

Closing Remarks:

2025 presents a unique opportunity to build on our successes and redefine our goals. I invite all members, partners, and stakeholders to join us in this journey of progress. Together, we can continue shaping a future that benefits businesses and communities alike.

I extend my deepest gratitude to our members, the Secretariat, and our partners for your unwavering support. Let us move forward with determination, collaboration, and a shared vision of success.

Thank?you.

Warm regards,

Sopiribo Ideriah

President and Chairman of the Board, American Business Council