By Vivian Emoni
The Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Kingdom of Lesotho have reaffirmed commitment to expanding trade, investment and strengthen private sector partnerships to boost economy growth.
The Second Deputy President of the ACCI, Dr Aliyu Hong, said this while receiving the Prime Minister of the Lesotho, Mr Samuel Matekane, who led a delegation to the chamber on Thursday in Abuja.
Hong, who represented the chamber’s President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, said that the meeting was to explore investment opportunities and deepen commercial relations across strategic sectors.
Obegolu said that the aimed of the meeting was to at strenghten bilateral trade, investment and private sector collaboration between the two nations.
According to him, the meeting provides opportunities for business leaders to identify areas of cooperation and expand commercial relations between Nigeria and Lesotho.
“Participants explored investment prospects in agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, infrastructure, tourism, hospitality, information technology and other sectors,” he said.
The ACCI president described the engagement as a milestone in advancing economic diplomacy and strengthening commercial ties between the both countries.
He said the meeting reflected the shared commitment to promoting intra-African trade, attracting investment and supporting sustainable prosperity through private sector collaboration.
He reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to promoting trade, investment, enterprise development and policy advocacy across Africa.
Obegolu highlighted the chamber’s specialised centres supporting businesses through investment promotion, entrepreneurship development, policy advocacy and alternative dispute resolution.
Matekane said his visit aimed to showcase Lesotho’s investment opportunities and connect its businesses with Nigerian investors and entrepreneurs.
He expressed Lesotho’s readiness to build enduring partnerships with Nigerian businesses for economic transformation and sustainable development.
The prime minister urged Nigerian investors to explore business opportunities available in Lesotho and establish long-term commercial partnerships.
He commended Nigeria’s vibrant private sector, expressing confidence that stronger business collaboration would unlock new economic opportunities.
Also, the ACCI Director-General, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, described the chamber as a strategic platform for business cooperation, trade facilitation and improved market access.
Jideani called for stronger partnerships to translate business dialogue into tangible investments benefiting both countries.
Speaking, the Minister of Industry and Business Development, of the Lesotho, Motlatsi Maqelepo, stressed the importance of purposeful government and private sector engagement.
Maqelepo said that meaningful business interactions remained essential to achieving mutually beneficial economic outcomes.
The African Leadership Organisation Chairman, Dr Ken Giami, urged business leaders to influence policies
promoting economic growth and regional integration.
Participants expressed optimism that the meeting would boost trade, investment, joint ventures, technology transfer and cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFT).
The meeting ended with networking sessions aimed at fostering strategic partnerships and lasting commercial relationships between Nigerian and Lesotho businesses.