Coventry could be set to increase trade with Nigeria after representatives from businesses across the country were welcomed to the city as part of a trade mission to explore international opportunities in the UK.
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce welcomed a total of 50 delegates from the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce as part of the week-long trade mission from London to Birmingham.
Delegates were given the opportunity to tour Coventry Cathedral and hear more about the history of the city before returning to Metropolis restaurant to discuss trade, growth and building relationships.
They heard from speakers Tom Mongan, President of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce; Fleur Sexton DL, Chamber board member and CEO of PET-Xi which runs Metropolis; David Hooper, Chamber board member and Managing Director of Hooper & Co International Trade Consultancy; and Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Corin Crane.
Awuneba Ajumogobia and Akin Osuntoki, from the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce, also spoke at the event.
Tom Mongan said: “It was fantastic to welcome representatives from the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce and show them some of our fantastic city.
“Trade between Nigeria and the UK was worth £7.5 billion last year, and we saw a 78 per cent growth in trade between 2021 and 2022.
“We are a local Chamber with a global reach, and it is extremely important that we build relationships with businesses overseas.
“This was an excellent opportunity to network and create a platform to share ideas, skills and innovations and continue to grow trade in the future.”
David Hooper added: “We are currently encouraging businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire to look further afield than the EU when doing business overseas.
“There are already trade agreements with Nigeria in place, and businesses should be taking this into consideration when looking at their supply chains.
“The visit was an opportunity to make positive connections, and we will be continuing discussions with the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce as we support our members to conduct international trade.”
Ayomide Olajide, of the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce, said: “We would like to thank the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce for welcoming us to Coventry.
“During our visit we were given an insight into the city’s culture and were able to discuss building mutually-beneficial relationships with businesses in the area.
“It is clear that the UK is looking outward, and there are huge opportunities in Nigeria for businesses to capitalise on.”
Caption: Representatives from Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce with delegates from the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce as they tour Coventry Cathedral.