FG, UNIDO to launch first investment, technology promotion office in Nigeria

In partnership with the Federal Government, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) will launch the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) in Nigeria on Tuesday.

Set up at the request of the Nigerian government, the ITPO Nigeria will provide a platform for public and private stakeholders, and especially investors, entrepreneurs and development partners, to establish collaborative links in support of an increased competitiveness and diversification of the Nigerian economy.

A statement, signed by Adebisi Olumodimu, head of UNIDO ITPO in Nigeria, said the launch would allow for several additional events, including the ITPO inception workshop, sensitisation workshops on the Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Programme (EDIP); the Computer Model for Feasibility Analysis and Reporting (COMFAR), as well as on gender inclusiveness in technology promotion.

It said: “The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment will chair the event, which will also include sensitisation workshops on key UNIDO-ITPO systems to attract investment, identify and deploy technologies, and develop industrial cooperation with relevant international initiatives. The ITPO Nigeria will be the first office in Africa, and will join the worldwide ITPO network that covers Bahrain, China (Beijing and Shanghai), Italy, Japan, South Korea and the Russian Federation.

“Current UNIDO initiatives in Nigeria include new technologies to enhance clusters for the production of industrial goods such as finished leather products, agricultural value chains to support food and beverage processing, and creative fashion and craft industries in Nigeria. Other upcoming initiatives with State Governments in Nigeria will promote the use of clean technologies for cooking and other domestic uses, and support for sustainable energy supply.”