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Dike Onwuamaeze

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has declared that Kenya and Nigeria is collaborating intentionally to develop cross-border production networks, industrial corridors, and investment partnerships that would reflect both countries strengths.

This declaration was made yesterday by the President of LCCI, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, during the first “Kenya-Nigeria Trade and Investment Conference” that was organised in Lagos, Nigeria, by the LCCI and the Kenyan Association of Manufacturers (KAM).  

The theme of the conference was, “Advancing Intra-African Trade and Industrial Partnerships Under AfCFTA.”

Idahosa, who was represented by the Deputy President of LCCI, Mr. Leye Kupoluyi, said that the partnership between Nigeria and Kenya is not just ideal but also indispensable for achieving true continental transformation.

He described the conference as a continental signal that Africa has recognised the urgency of reimagining its economic narrative.

He said that for decades, African trade patterns have flowed outward, sending raw commodities across oceans and receiving finished goods in return.
But, “AfCFTA now offers a bold platform to rewrite this story by building an integrated market that fuels industrialisation from within.
“Kenya and Nigeria, two of Africa’s most significant economic powerhouses, stand at a strategic intersection of this opportunity.

“With vibrant populations, expanding private sectors, innovative entrepreneurs, and shared development aspirations, our partnership is not just ideal; it is indispensable for achieving true continental transformation.

“Today marks a crucial step toward strengthening bilateral relations, shaping new value chains, and catalysing a future where African nations trade more effectively with one another and build industries that are competitive on a global scale.”

“Yet, the real value of this monumental opportunity will only be unlocked when countries like Kenya and Nigeria collaborate intentionally to develop cross-border production networks, industrial corridors, and investment partnerships that reflect our complementary strengths.”

 Idahosa added that Nigeria and Kenya could transform their comparative advantages into collective competitiveness by driving industrial cooperation in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, technology, logistics, creative industries, and small and medium enterprise development.

“Our shared goal today is simple yet profound: to translate opportunities into impactful outcomes, to convert dialogue into deals, and to move from aspiration to execution in advancing intra-African trade and industrial collaboration under AfCFTA,” he said.

In his remarks, the Kenya High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Isaac Parashina, said that Kenya-Nigeria trade and investment mission is anchored in a simple but profound conviction that Africa’s prosperity would be built through cooperation, shared enterprise, and a deliberate commitment to forge bridges across our borders.

Parashina said: “Today’s engagement reminds us that when our nations come together with clarity of purpose, we unlock opportunities far greater than what we could ever achieve in isolation.

“We meet at a time when Africa is undergoing significant transformation,” and “expanding trade within Africa remains one of the clearest ways to drive industrial growth, create meaningful employment for our young people, and shield our economies from external volatility.

“But progress requires more than good intentions. It calls for steady leadership, consistent policy, and closer collaboration between governments and the private sector.”

“It also requires us to strengthen the micro, small, and medium enterprises that keep our economies dynamic and innovative.

“For Kenya and Nigeria, this opportunity carries real weight. Our two countries have the capacity and the responsibility to shape Africa’s economic direction for many years to come,” he stated.

The leader of the delegation from Kenya National Assembly to the conference, Anthony Oluoch, said the Kenyan delegation was in Nigeria for, “a single, powerful purpose: to strategically position our two nations to fully harness the transformative potential of the AfCFTA.

“For Kenya, the strategic importance is profound and far-reaching, and includes market access on an unprecedented scale.

“Kenya and Nigeria are the two most diversified economies in East and West Africa. Together, we hold enormous potential but our bilateral trade remains far below what it should be. Unlocking this potential require deliberate action.”