Quick Updates - 8

Welcome to a new week and another update from my desk @officialnepc. As we celebrate our independence anniversary, I want to share highlights from the past week; our services conference, my visit to NEXIM and celebration of an outstanding public servant.

On Tuesday 24/09/24, I joined my colleagues Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) at the council's conference on Service Export and E-Commerce with the theme “Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Service Export through Digital Trade Platforms”. The event was held at our Export House, Maitama, Abuja.

The overarching aim was to explore strategies for enhancing Nigeria's capacity in service export by leveraging opportunities inherent in e-commerce platforms for global competitiveness.

Our Special guest, HM @DrDorisAnite was represented by the SA to the Perm Sec. of @TradeInvestNG. Guests who took part in the series of discussions and presentations included experts in the fields of service export, talent management, e-commerce, and creative industries.

The communique issued at the end of the conference noted that the services export currently contributes $4.8 billion to the National Economy even as it highlighted challenges facing the sector top of which is the unstructured nature.

Others include challenges of repatriation of proceeds, data capturing and creation of efficient infrastructure. The conference called for policy implementation towards sustainable growth in services, as well as enhanced advocacy & awareness creation.

Nigerian financial institutions were charged with creating special products targeted at the players in the value chain & initiation of Training/Capacity Building focused on the 5 AfCFTA priority sectors: business services, transport, Tourism & Travels, Financials & Communication.

During the week, I joined other guests at a send forth event for the immediate past Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, who retired on August 13, 2024 after decades of meritorious service. The event was hosted by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation.

Hailed as a consummate civil servant & change agent, Aig-Imoukhuede in his tribute to Dr. Esan noted that she brought positive change to the service. “The civil service that I knew before you attained the office of HOS is a different civil service. The difference is clear.”

On Thursday 26/09/24, I paid a courtesy visit to @NeximBank in my dual capacity as ED/CEO Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and as an Ambassador for #iatf2025. The 4th Intra-African Trade Fair is scheduled to take place over 7 days in Algiers, Algeria from 4-10 Sept. 2025.

During my visit, I met with the MD/Chief Executive of NEXIM Bank, Mr. Abba Bello & his team at the Bank's headquarters. Our discussions revolved around collaborative synergy to make the most of Nigeria’s participation @iatf. It was a fruitful & insightful interaction.

IATF plays a critical role in promoting intra-African trade by providing a platform for African traders - Nigerian traders and institutions included - to come together, connect, negotiate & sign both trade and investment deals.

It is important for Nigeria because we have over 1,000 agricultural products & derivatives in commercial quantities. We also have about 44 minerals. So IATF2025 will provide a platform for Nigerian exporters & institutions to showcase their goods & services and facilitate trade.

The contracts and MOUs signed at IATF2025 will further Nigeria's diversification from oil to non-oil exports while young Nigerian entrepreneurs will have their horizons expanded as they gain insights into the workings and intricacies of the trade space.

All this is in alignment with our #DoubleYourExport mantra and the Industrial Revitalization Plan of the Honourable Minister FMITI, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite.

Have a good week and Happy Independence, Nigeria!