Published

February 14, 2017

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Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Africa Business Center today hosted Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment H.E. Okechukwu E. Enelamah for a roundtable discussion with U.S. business executives. The conversation focused on enhancing the trade and investment relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria.

“With one of the largest economies in Africa, Nigeria is an important partner for U.S. businesses. Today’s conversation highlighted the work being done to strengthen the economic relationship between our two countries and how we can continue to build on this relationship,” said Scott Eisner, President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center and Vice President for African Affairs at the Chamber.

"The U.S. has historically been one of Nigeria’s top trading partners; it was the biggest importer of Nigeria’s crude oil. In the last five years, however, the sharp decline in U.S. imports of our crude, on account of rising domestic production of Shale, has altered the trade balance between our two countries,” said Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah. “This development presents us a good opportunity to explore and increase non-oil exports – especially in agricultural products, services and the digital economy.”

H.E. Enelamah also participated in a Facebook Live conversation with the U.S.-Africa Business Center following the roundtable.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 70 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad. The U.S.-Africa Business Center is the preeminent voice in the global business community advocating for increased trade between the United States and Africa.