Envoy Decries Low Trade, Investment between Nigeria, Namibia

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The Namibia High Commissioner to Nigeria, Cameron and Chad, Humphrey Geiseb, has expressed concern over the volume of trade and investment between Nigeria and Namibia.

He, however, stated that concerted efforts were being made to improve trade and investments between both countries.

Geiseb gave the assurance last Wednesday during a one-way Namibia-Delta Trade and Investment Summit held in Warri with the theme: ‘Unlocking New Trade and Investment Opportunities’, facilitated by Namibia High Commission; Global Links and Services Limited- CMADI and PIND.

The Namibia Trade and Investment Summit in Warri was planned to serve as a high-level platform to enhance trade relations and investment opportunities between business stakeholders in Delta, Nigeria and Namibia.

The Envoy said despite the potential for robust trade relations, the current trade between Namibia and Nigeria remains relatively low and slow therefore there was need to unlock the potential for higher trade and investment volumes between the two countries.

“Now more than ever, organised trade and investment missions, fairs and exposure remain key to promoting products and establishing businesses connections between our two countries,” he said.

Geiseb disclosed that Nigerian investors can key into growing businesses in areas of Oil and Gas, Mining, Agriculture, Real Estate and Tourism in Namibia.

The President, Nigeria-Namibia Chamber of Commerce (NNCC), Ben Gbade Ojo, lamented that African countries do not trade much with one another which was responsible for not being able to fully harness synergies and complementary of their economies and take full advantage of the economies of scale and other benefits that greater market integration would have provided.

He stressed the need for boosting intra-African trade and the deepening of African market integration by fostering corporation, collaboration and, indeed, competition among African countries which Ojo said would assist in enhancing their capacity and prepare them to compete more effectively on the global market.

The Delta State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Samuel Oligida, said the theme of the summit was timely considering the vast investment potential the state possesses, noting that the state, especially Warri Kingdom, was strategically located in rich natural resources environment with entrepreneurial spirit.

The commissioner stated that the state Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, was working tirelessly to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive through the Ministry of Trade and Investment as well as Delta State Investment Development Agency.

The facilitator of the event and Managing Director of Global Links and Services Limited, Mrs. Chichi Umeasiegbu, recounted her positive business experiences in Namibia and urged Nigerian investors, particularly from Delta State and environs to take advantage of.

She said Nigerian investors to embrace the business opportunities offer by Namibia in sectors such as tourism, mining, oil and gas, agriculture and real estate assuring they would never regret their investments.