Nigeria, Liberia deepen trade ties under AfCFTA agenda

Nigeria and Liberia have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade, attracting investment and strengthening private sector collaboration at the Liberia–Nigeria Trade and Investment Forum held in Lagos.

Organised by the Government of the Republic of Liberia through the Embassy of Liberia in Nigeria and the Office of the Honorary Consul General of Liberia in Lagos, the forum brought together policymakers, business leaders and investors to discuss ways of deepening economic cooperation between the two West African countries, according to a statement on Friday.

The event, themed “Building Bridges for Shared Prosperity: Strengthening Liberia–Nigeria Trade and Investment Partnership,” focused on opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area and the need for stronger intra-African commercial partnerships.

Participants said deeper trade and investment ties would support industrialisation, job creation and sustainable economic growth across the region.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Managing Director of the Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board, Joseph Umar, described regional collaboration as critical to unlocking Africa’s economic potential.

Speaking on the minister’s behalf, Umar said stronger partnerships between African economies would stimulate trade and investment, improve regional competitiveness, enhance value chain development and create new opportunities for businesses across the continent.

He also commended the Government of Liberia for convening the forum and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote cross-border investment, private sector growth and stronger economic cooperation within West Africa.

The forum brought together senior government officials, diplomats, investors, development partners, financial institutions and business executives to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, mining, technology, the digital economy and tourism.

Discussions focused on improving market access, enhancing the ease of doing business, fostering public-private partnerships, and creating policy environments that encourage long-term investment and enterprise development.

Representatives of the Government of Liberia highlighted the country’s ongoing economic reforms and investment opportunities, reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to building a transparent, investor-friendly environment that supports sustainable economic transformation.

The forum also featured investment presentations, business engagements and sector-specific networking sessions aimed at facilitating partnerships between Liberian and Nigerian businesses and investors.

Speaking at the event, the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Liberia in Lagos, Dapo Akinsun, SAN, said, “Let this inaugural forum mark a new chapter: from goodwill to goods moving across our borders; from friendship to financing; from conversations to contracts; and from promises to projects that create jobs and improve lives.”

The organisers said the forum marked a step towards institutionalising economic engagement between Liberia and Nigeria, expressing confidence that the discussions and partnerships would support increased trade, investment and long-term collaboration between the two countries.

They added that stronger bilateral partnerships would support regional integration and improve West Africa’s competitiveness as an investment destination.