Indian High Commissioner lauds country’s push for stronger ties with Nigeria to drive mutual growth

Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh has lauded India’s efforts to bolster trade ties with Nigeria, driving mutual growth and development.

Speaking at the 2nd India Trade Expo in Lagos, hosted by the Indian High Commission and Indian Professional Forum (IPF), Singh highlighted the presence of over 200 Indian companies in Nigeria, working towards shared progress and development.

According to him, the idea of holding India Trade Expo has been carved to showcase the potential of India companies and reaffirm their engagement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, chambers of businesses and private businesses in Nigeria.

This expo, the High Commissioner said, would highlight their commitment and entrepreneurship of creating an environment for their fellow Nigeria counterparts to work together as a team.

Speaking also at the event, Consul General of India Lagos, Kannan Chockalingam, emphasised the need for deeper economic integration and strategic cooperation with Nigeria, highlighting opportunities for mutual growth and development.

Chockalingam also emphasised that India and Nigeria’s partnership must evolve from transactional trade to transformational collaboration, unlocking new opportunities for growth and expansion.

To him, both countries can work hand in hand in strengthening manufacturing and value edition; promoting joint ventures and local capacity building; encouraging technology adaption and skill transfer.

Others include; supporting sustainable development and green growth and empowering youth and entrepreneurs in both countries.

“India’s experience in digital governance, affordable healthcare, small-scale industry development, and renewable energy can complement Nigeria’s vast resources market potential, and development.

“The India trade show is therefore, not just an event, it is an opportunity. An opportunity to build partnerships, sign agreements, initiate dialogue, and lay foundation for long term collaboration.

“I encourage Nigerian businesses to explore India as a reliable partner for quality products, technology solutions and investment collaborations, I equally encourage Indian companies to see Nigeria not just as a market, but as a strategic gateway to West Africa,’’ he added.

While stating that the relationship between India and Nigeria is anchored on trade, technology and tourism, he said: “bilateral trade between India and Nigeria has consistently remained strong and diversified. Indian companies have invested significantly in Nigeria across sector such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, manufacturing, power infrastructure and consumer goods. At the same time, Nigeria remains a vital energy   partner for India.

‘’The India Trade show serves as a platform to expand this engagement, to create new supply chain, explore joint ventures, encourage MSME collaboration and unlock untapped opportunities.

“The complementarities between our two economic are immense. By strengthening trade facilitation, improving logistics, and enhances business connectivity, we can significantly boost bilateral trade volume and generate employment in both countries.

“India’s growth story over the past decades has been driven by innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship.

“From fintech to digital public infrastructure, from healthcare technology to renewable energy solutions, India has developed scalable, affordable and inclusive technologies that benefit developed economies.

“Nigeria with its dynamic youth population and rapidly expanding tech ecosystem presents enormous opportunities for collaboration.

“By partnering in areas such as digital payments. IT services, agritech, renewable energy, and STEM development. India and Nigeria can co create solutions tailored to local need technology transfer, startup exchanges and capacity–building initiatives can further strengthen this pillar of our cooperation,” Chockalingam added.

Speaking earlier, Lagos Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (MCCTI), Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, said that over the years, Indian businesses had played a vital role in Nigeria’s industrial development, particularly in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture processing, and technology.

According to the Commissioner: “Today’s engagement therefore builds on an already strong foundation and offers a timely opportunity to strengthen investment cooperation in ways that will benefit both nations.”

Under the leadership of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, she said that Lagos state is also pursuing policies that promote economic diversification across key sectors which include; manufacturing, digital technology, agriculture value chains, sustainable energy, healthcare management, financial services, and the creative economy.

“These sectors present strong investment opportunities for Indian companies with expertise in technology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing systems, infrastructure development, and advanced services,’’ Bada Ambrose added.

On his part, president, India Professional Forum (IPF), Mahesh Kumar Birla said that the expo underscored their commitment to fostering professional growth, strengthening community ties, and promoting India’s growing global foot print since I994.