Senior officials from the United States and Nigeria, alongside business leaders, have launched working groups aimed at deepening commercial ties and expanding economic opportunities between the two nations.
The initiative falls under the United States–Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP), a five-year agreement established in July 2024. The partnership was formalised by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the then US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Nigeria’s former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
The inaugural meetings of the working groups took place in Abuja and were led by key representatives from both governments, including the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, and Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole.
Ambassador Mills highlighted the CIP as a top priority, underscoring the US’s commitment to strengthening bilateral commercial and investment ties, fostering economic growth, and creating opportunities for citizens in both countries.
The initial discussions centred on three key sectors: agriculture, the digital economy, and infrastructure. The working groups, comprising participants from the US and Nigerian private sectors, have begun the process of identifying barriers to trade and investment. Their objectives include promoting job creation, encouraging private sector involvement, and recommending solutions to policymakers.
The US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle East and Africa, Thomas Bruns, stated that the partnership reflected a shared commitment to strengthening economic ties, encouraging innovation, and increasing opportunities for businesses.
Both US and Nigerian officials have agreed to review the progress of the working groups twice a year, with the next formal meeting of the CIP scheduled for the autumn of 2025.
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