Theme: Advancing Nigeria – Morocco Trade & Investments through Economic Integration & Implementation Protocols.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ministers,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Captains of Industry,
Leaders of Business Associations, Esteemed Participants,
Investors from Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco, Ladies and Gentlemen.
“In the fusion of integrated economies and decisive action, investment awakens the future”. It is my distinct pleasure to warmly welcome you to the Second Edition of the Nigeria – Morocco Business Week, a strategic platform designed to deepen economic cooperation between our two great nations. The inaugural edition, held in Casablanca in October 2024, achieved notable success, highlighted by the signing of a landmark agreement between Maghreb Steel of Morocco and Niger Extraction Limited of Nigeria. This milestone clearly demonstrated the impact of structured engagement in turning dialogue into tangible commercial outcomes. At this Juncture, I want to on behalf of the organising committee share in the grief of the natural flood incident in Kasar Kabir and other cities leading to loss of properties and farmlands which made it impossible for some of our Moroccan participants to attend this important event. Building on this momentum, this year’s theme: Advancing Nigeria – Morocco Trade and Investment through Economic Integration and Implementation – underscores our shared commitment to moving beyond discussion toward decisive action. Our focus this year is on delivering measurable results across priority sectors, including agribusiness, electricity and renewable energy, iron ore and steel, livestock development, manufacturing, non-oil exports, logistics, and investment facilitation. We seek to unlock significant trade opportunities, with a target of over $10 billion in non-oil exports, while fully leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand market access, foster industrial collaboration, and strengthen value – chain development. This Business Week also serves as a vital platform to reinforce institutional partnerships between Nigeria and Morocco. The active participation of key stakeholders – including the Ministry of Livestock, Nigeria Incentive – Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Nigeria’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), The Coalition of Northern States Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) the Federation of Agro-Food Processors (FENAGRI), the Moroccan Agency for Export and Investment Development (AMDIE), the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Investment and Digital Economy of the Kingdom of Morocco will ensure structured B2B engagement and effective project implementation. Distinguished delegates, this Business Week calls upon us to act decisively, invest boldly, and collaborate strategically, transforming our shared vision into shared prosperity. “When economies unite in action, investment becomes the architecture of shared destiny”. I extend my sincere appreciation to all our partners – especially the Presidency – Office of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Nigerian Embassy in Rabat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Royal Air Maroc, Nigeria Incentive – Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Special Agro Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), The Coalition of Northern States Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Federation of Agro-Food Processors (FENAGRI), the Moroccan Agency for Export and Investment Development (AMDIE), the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), the organizing committee, participating institutions, and stakeholders – for their invaluable support. I wish you fruitful deliberations and a highly successful event.
