Focus on Nigeria – Business Networking Night in Shanghai
After the highly successful networking night, Invest in Africa in June, attendees as well as those who missed the event for one reason or the other insisted on having another opportunity to meet persons with the common goal of doing business in Africa. That opportunity came on July 30th as the African Chamber of Commerce (AFCHAM) decided to organize another event about doing business in Africa. The country of focus was Nigeria for several reasons such as: Nigeria is home to the 7th largest population worldwide and the largest in Africa with over 170million people. It is the country with the most attractive Free Trade Zones for investors (32 in total). Nigeria has enormous resources, most of which are yet to be fully exploited. Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow to Nigeria has risen from 22.4 billion US dollars in 1998 to 75.4 billion US dollars in 2015.
The event venue, OASIS, located downtown Xu Jia hui in Shanghai accommodated all the attendees comfortably as various presentations were made throughout the evening to guide investors on investment opportunities in Nigeria.
AFCHAM Chairperson D. Nkwetato Tamonkia, speaking at the event revealed that a list of Nigerian companies willing to partner with foreign investors was available for consultation at the AFCHAM office. Before giving a toast at the end of his speech, he urged interested individuals and companies to complete their membership registration paperwork in order to be fully included in the AFCHAM database – the gateway to all the benefits available to AFCHAM members.
SEE MORE PICTURE OF THE EVENT HERE
Speaking at the event on behalf of the Nigerian community, the president of Nigerian Experts in Shanghai (NES) Mr. Yomi lauded the initiative by AFCHAM to rally investors interested in Nigeria. He pledged his support and collaboration with AFCHAM in subsequent events. In the same light, Mr. Debo, another active Nigerian businessman took to the floor to illustrate with facts and figures the numerous reasons Nigeria is a hot business hub in Africa worth every investment.
Mingling and networking then continued while attendees enjoyed fine Amarula wines from AFCHAM’s events’ sponsor from South Africa. Classic Nigerian music from the likes of Fela Kuti made the atmosphere more conducive for conversations as guests shook hands, exchanged business cards and posed with their new acquaintances for souvenir pictures.
The last speaker for the evening was the CEO of Bridge Afrique Magazine, Mr. Kolawole O. Michael, an AFCHAM partner and Nigerian expert in Shanghai. He used the opportunity to present the second edition of Bridge Afrique Magazine, urged everyone to get a copy and support the magazine’s major goal of promoting Africa.
The evening ended on a high note with the screening of a promo of Nigeria, a special production for Nigeria’s National Day and Investment Forum in Shanghai by the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Abuja. The promo and brochures were made available for the networking night by the Consulate General and the Nigeria Regional Investment and Trade Office, Asia all in support of the initiative.
SEE MORE PICTURE OF THE EVENT HERE
Sources close to NextStep, the events arm of AFCHAM say the next AFCHAM event, yet to be scheduled, will slightly be different in nature and full of surprises. In anticipation, one thing you can do is to secure an AFCHAM membership card and watch out for the announcement revealing the details of the next event. News has also leaked concerning companies acquiring booths available in the AFCHAM village at the upcoming Expat Show in September although the management at AFCHAM has not made any official announcement regarding the event yet. This official announcement will most likely be made after discussions at the next AFCHAM board meeting. Fingers crossed!
Shanghai, July 6th 2016
Afcham News Flash