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U.S.-Nigeria Executive Roundtable
September 23 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Key Highlights
Kendra Gaither, President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center, welcomed the Vice President and other top executives from the U.S. private sector. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the investment and partnership opportunities in Nigeria, which can foster stronger ties between U.S. and Nigerian counterparts. Gaither praised the resilience of Nigeria’s startup community, stating, “The innovation from the startup community continues to inspire and offers great prospects for economic growth and job creation for millions of youth.”
Nisha Biswal, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), discussed the importance of a robust U.S.-Nigeria partnership. She announced several significant initiatives, including:
- A $200 million loan to the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Corporation aimed at supporting affordable home ownership for middle- and lower-income Nigerians.
- A $100 million loan plan to First City Monument Bank (FCMB) to enhance lending to women-owned SMEs.
- A $20 million pledge to support the farming sector in Nigeria.
Vice President Shettima commended the DFC for its support of the Nigerian business climate, especially for women-owned SMEs and the agricultural sector. He highlighted the profound significance of these initiatives, noting, “Women are the backbone of every society… educate a woman, you have educated a nation.”
The roundtable also featured a Q&A session anchored by Guevera Yao, Vice President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center, allowing attendees to engage directly with the Vice President and share updates on ongoing projects in Nigeria.
Acknowledgments
The Council extends its gratitude to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, led by Aisha Rimi, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as private sector companies and partners who attended, including Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, Google, Rendeavour, Sun Africa, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Mastercard, Flutterwave, and the Center for International Private Enterprise.
This roundtable marks a significant step in fostering collaboration and investment opportunities between the U.S. and Nigeria, paving the way for future growth and development.
