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“BusinessTalk” – A Trade and Investment Webinar Series

Overview:

The Monthly Webinar, brainstorming on Prevailing Trade, Investment, and Economic Challenges Across the U.S.-Nigeria Business Axis is a platform designed to facilitate discussions, exchange of ideas, and collaboration between key stakeholders in the business communities of the United States and Nigeria. The webinar aims to address the current challenges, opportunities, and trends impacting trade, investment, and economic relations between the two countries.

The U.S.-Nigeria business relationship is a critical one, with both countries being key players in the global economy. However, there are several challenges that hinder the full potential of this relationship. This monthly webinar aims to address these challenges and provide insights and solutions to foster stronger trade, investment, and economic ties between the two countries.

Objective:

The main objective of this webinar series is to facilitate dialogue and collaboration between key stakeholders in the U.S. and Nigeria to address the prevailing trade, investment, and economic challenges. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and business leaders, we aim to identify opportunities for growth and development across the aisle, particularly Nigeria.

Format:

The webinar will be held every third Sunday of the month at 7:30pm WAT (2:30pm EST), starting on April 21, 2024. Each session will feature panel discussions, presentations, and Q&A sessions with experts from either country. Topics will range from trade policy and regulations to investment opportunities and economic trends affecting the U.S.-Nigeria business axis.

Audience:

This webinar is targeted at business leaders, policymakers, academics, and anyone interested in the U.S.-Nigeria business relationship. Participants can join from anywhere in the world, making it a truly global platform for dialogue and collaboration.

Schedule:

  • Frequency: Monthly
  • Date: Every third Sunday of the month
  • Time: 7:30 pm WAT (2:30pm EST)
  • Starting Date: April 21, 2024

Platform:

The webinar will be conducted on Zoom, allowing participants to engage in real-time discussions, ask questions, and network with industry experts, policymakers, and business leaders. In addition, the webinar will be live-streamed on YouTube to reach a wider audience and enable viewers to access the discussions remotely.

Key Topics:

Each webinar session will focus on a specific theme related to trade, investment, and economic challenges across the U.S.-Nigeria business axis. Some of the key topics to be covered include:

  • Bilateral trade relations
  • Investment opportunities and challenges
  • Regulatory frameworks and policies
  • Market trends and analysis
  • Business strategies and best practices

Target Audience:

The webinar is open to business professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in exploring opportunities and overcoming challenges in the U.S.-Nigeria business axis. Participants from both countries are encouraged to join the discussions and contribute their insights and experiences.

Benefits:

  • Gain insights from industry experts, policymakers and thought leaders.
  • Network with key stakeholders in the U.S. and Nigeria business communities.
  • Explore new opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
  • Stay updated on the latest trends and developments in trade, investment, and economic relations.

Resource persons

Discussants and participants will be Subject-Matter-Experts from an exclusive pool of seasoned trade experts, active players in the export value chain (exporters of goods and services, lawyers, bankers, forwarding agents), regulatory authorities and Trade Support Institutions, international agencies and development partners, Nigerians in the diaspora with passion and flair to contribute to national economic rebirth, etc.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES

By the end of the webinar series, we aim to have a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the U.S.-Nigeria business axis. We hope to generate actionable insights and recommendations that can inform policy decisions, investment strategies, and business partnerships between the two countries.

The outputs of the Trade Webinar series are expected to include:

  1. Report: A summary of key findings and policy recommendations distilled from each session, combinations of sessions, papers and keynote speeches.
  2. The webinars’ proceedings, incorporating relevant comments and feedback from peer review and webinar participants, may be published after the episode or quarter.
  3. Presentation of these findings and recommended solutions will be made to relevant governments agencies, ministries and parastatals as well as other identified stakeholders.
  4. A special task force will be created to track the results of the webinar series.

Join us for the inaugural Monthly Webinar on Prevailing Trade, Investment, and Economic Challenges Across the U.S.-Nigeria Business Axis on April 21, 2024, at 7:30 pm WAT (2:00pm EST). Together, let’s build bridges, foster collaboration, and drive sustainable growth in the U.S.-Nigeria business axis.

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Concern and advisory on World Bank $3 billion loan to Nigeria for the expansion of the power sector

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Press Release: – Concern and advisory on World Bank $3 billion loan to Nigeria for the expansion of the power sector

Atlanta, GA. USA. Monday October 21, 2019: The attention of the U.S.-Nigeria Trade Council has been drawn to a news report regarding the World Bank proposed $3 billion loan to Nigeria for the expansion of the power sector (https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-world-bank-approves-3bn-power-loan-nigeria).

We are concerned that Nigeria’s limited revenues and existing debt burden, of over US$25 billion, would make it challenging to service this intended debt, in addition to its existing debts. We recommend that Nigeria should stop taking new loans as we can’t afford it any longer, due to our national debt, most especially, foreign loans, which has more than tripled over the past four years from US$7.5 billion to over US$25 billion. Debt Service Cost to Revenue Ratio (DSCR) is almost 70% already; only 30% of FGN revenue is available for capital expenditures and recurrent expenditures due to revenue constraints. At the rate Nigeria is booking new loans, financial crisis may be imminent unless FGN retires at least US$10 billion within its debt portfolio, to reduce annual debt service costs.

The proposed loan is mainly for transmission segment of the Power sector, which is still with the government. However, the crux of the matter is that government continued holding of the transmission segment is ill-advised. The current debt mountain, which Nigeria has on its balance sheet, can trigger economic doom for Nigeria if something is not done soon. If this new US$3 billion loan will be booked onto Nigeria’s balance sheet, then we would be in more serious financial crisis due to limited sources of revenues, to service debt costs. FGN ought to have guaranteed the US$3 billion loan, for a PPP power project sponsor, such as a reputable power company, who will be financially responsible, for servicing the annual debt costs of the said loan which would have been booked onto the PPP SPV and balance sheet, of the power project sponsor, instead of FGN’s balance sheet.

We strongly submit that debt servicing & ratio as percentage of GDP may not be sustainable in the long run even though debt financing may be imperative for economic growth & development. The idea of PPP is an excellent mechanism to ensure effective & efficient utilization of resources in the power sector. it is more important to look at debt ratio in terms of revenue earning of the Country. The loan to DISCOS part of the loan is on probability of if the loan is increased from $3.0b to $4.0b. Even at that, government has no business taking loan on behalf of the DISCOS. At best, the government may provide sovereign guaranty the DISCOS loan since they are private business.

If funding is provided for new projects in the Power sector, with either PPP or even Private enterprises, then we are likely to see growth as other sectors of the economy will be engaged in the form of employment opportunities. When other sectors are engaged in the investment, there is a multiplier effect which will improve the overall economy. However, if the loan is used to finance existing loan, it is not desirable for country. Using external debt to do this is very troubling, and using internal debt is desirable ONLY at a lower interest rate which reduces the cost of financing in the balance sheet.

Although loans are integral part of the financial trajectory and fiscal equation of any country, with the USA being one of those countries, with national debt at $22billion, additional loans for Nigeria will be stifling, and in fact a death grip. Our national debt must be reduced through debt retirement and debt restructuring, while our recurrent expenditures, must be reduced through budget reviews, cost cutting (cost reduction) programs and restructuring of the budget of many ministries, departments and agencies, to enable FGN save billions of Naira, in annual recurrent expenditures. “It will help us to exit the subsidy that is now inherent in the power sector.

While debt is sometimes inevitable, when used wisely, to execute investment projects, that will generate substantial economic and social impact for the nation, the structure of the debt and its execution strategy, must be implemented wisely, to avoid financial crisis for Nigeria.

We urge the Federal Government, to negotiate for a PPP power project instead of taking on costly loans. In Nigeria, we need INVESTMENT, not loans. We need more Public Private Partnerships (PPP), where investors are involved with project planning, project financing and project implementation. PPP implementations, by the private sector, will reduce the likelihood of fraud and funds embezzlement, when investors have major equity stakes, in the PPP projects.

About the US-Nigeria Trade Council, USA.
The US-Nigeria Trade Council, USA (www.usnigeria.org ) is dedicated to strengthening and enriching the vehicle of investment and trade between the United States of America and Nigeria. The Council provides a national forum on key economic, commercial and professional initiatives, as well as business opportunities of interest to American companies operating in or exploring business opportunities in Nigeria, as well as Nigerian companies planning trade ties and business expansion to the US Market.

With its extensive network and experience in Nigerian industry and commerce, the US – Nigeria Trade Council will assist to quickly identify the right suppliers and provide prompt answers to questions about Nigerian exports. The US-Nigeria Trade Council also assists US companies seeking to establish a presence, build a business model or partnerships in Nigeria

For

Joseph Oyediran (JO)

Financial Advisor

Titus Olowokere

Executive Director/CEO
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1-Day Agribusiness & Commodities Exports Boot Camp, Atlanta. GA

Description

Are you an Immigrant who has been in the U.S. for a while and need to explore lucrative opportunities? Are you an African immigrant looking to create a profitable business bridge back home? Or you are young graduate or budding entrepreneurs? Perhaps you are a veteran businessmen and women who need to expand your business portfolio, new business breakthrough? Are you an IT professional and need to “retool?” Ready to get your own piece of the pie in international trade, especially in Africa. The time is NOW!

Now you can have every information you need to operate a profitable Agribusiness, Export / Import business. YES, you can EARN 35%-100% Returns on investment for EXPORTS / IMPORTS in

  • 40 SOLID MINERALS
  • 30 AGRO-COMMODITIES AND OVER
  • 20 FOOD STUFF

Attend an intensive Agribusiness bootcamp in Export Management, designed to equip industry professionals with solid foundation in global strategy, resources in export management, market analysis and tangible tools on how to move goods for international export, the right way

The objectives of the bootcamp are to expose participants to the ‘Bolts and Nuts’ of exporting and develop strategies for success in a global economy.

BENEFITS / MODULES

Discover the Secretes of Successfully Exporting 44 Solid Minerals 33 Agricultural Commodities 22 Food Items

  • Fundamentals of Export Business Practices
  • Marketing & Pricing of Export Business Products
  • A-Z of Agric Commodity Export
  • A-Z of Solid Mineral Export
  • Understanding export business finance
  • Sourcing and negotiating export contracts
  • Strategies for International Distribution & International Sales Channels
  • Terms of Payment, Trade Barriers, and Free-trade Zones

Reasons why you should attend the 2-Day bootcamp

  • You get practical knowledge on export business
  • How to source for buyers for your products
  • You learn how to mitigate international trade risk and fraud
  • ICT :60 Trade Sites where you get Foreign buyer daily.
  • Access to Export product you can export duty-free to the U.S.A. underAGOA.
  • How to detect and avoid international trade scams and fraudulent importers.
  • Where/How to Source Products Locally
  • The guaranteed, tried and tested way to get paid by overseas clients.
  • The risk involved in the food stuff/agro exportation and business and how to avoid it effectively
  • Step-by-Step Guide on How to Start Exporting on a Small Scale Immediately after the workshop with case studies of products you can start with,

Training benefits:

1) Free: blog/website design for every participant

2) Loan/finance from local & international banks for genuine export contract

3) All participants will be assisted in securing export license

4) Participants will be assisted in export product registration with NAFDAC.

5) free mentoring until you become an exporter

6) free export planning

7) you will be connected to prospective buyers abroad.

Agribusiness remains a Gold mine that is full of untapped opportunities. Only the people who seek knowledge, information and understanding will be the ones that prosper in this age, Therefore, come and be trained, be informed, get understanding and prosper.

Unlike other export trainings where participants are left alone after the training, the 2-Day Agribusiness Export Boot Camp will continually follow up and mentor all participants until they succeed. The training will focus on practical ways how to start on a very small scale with local products and foodstuffs you can source for around you (for as low as $750) and sell for up to 900% profits.

We will also show you to start export business from the comfort of your bedroom with the use of our cutting-edge technology, that will connect you to buyers abroad automatically.

Fee:

This is a FREE introductory Agro-Exports Bootcamp. No meals included. Additional materials and training at cost.

E-mail: info@usafricatradesummit.com, www. usafricatradesummit.com

Instructors.

  1. Godwin Oyefeso – Lead Instructor (https://usnagris.com/portfolio-item/mr-godwin-oyefeso-president-success-edge-for-entrepreneurial-development-seed/)

At the end of this workshop, all the attendees will be able to understand the export business challenges and how to overcome them, handle documentations without stress, they will be equipped with skills needed to effectively market and sell their products to buyers abroad, they will be empowered to anticipate the risks inherent is export business and design different strategies to mitigate them.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1-day-agribusiness-commodities-exports-boot-camp-bowie-maryland-06-30-2019-tickets-64032550081

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Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit

The maiden Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (http://www.ndis.gov.ng) concludes at the Presidential Banquet Hall Abuja today. U.S.- Nigeria Trade Council was well represented. It was a very successful event

It’s been an excellent platform for forging powerful relationships, consolidating existing alliances, building new friendships and exploring mutually beneficial businesses and viable trade and investment opportunities.

Two members of the U.S.- Nigeria Trade Council leadership are also members of the NDIS Organizing Committee, working closely with Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa. http://www.ndis.gov.ng/

The summit immensely achieved its objectives to harness the substantial but unexplored skills, capital and technical know-how of Nigerians abroad, match investors with viable projects, and being together significant stakeholders Nigerian economy, including the Organized Private Sector; Government Agencies and Foreign Development Partners.

The feedback from the summit as well as the number of successful B2B matchmaking has been overwhelming.

It’s a full house with “densely populated” vim and vigor, with renewed determination to excel in personal space, across the isles, to the benefits of ourselves, our country and succeeding generation of Nigerians. The business space is so broad. We can all succeed together, and reap the riches, the richness of our diaspora sojourn.

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USA-Nigeria Trade Council appoints Ibanga, Oyefeso board members – The Punch Newspapers

The USA-Nigeria Trade Council, United States of America, has announced the appointment of two new advisory board members. The new members are Mrs. Affiong Ibanga and Mr. Godwin Oyefeso. According to the council, Ibanga and Oyefeso are expected to provide leadership and overall guidance and direction in the programmes, policy and strategic efforts to improve the trade traffic between the USA and Nigeria.

“Ibanga, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Shipping, is the Vice Chairperson of Advanced Motors and Logistics Limited Bonded Terminal, a leading freight forwarder, export / import services, shipping agency and bonded terminal operator,” the council said in a statement.  “She is also the Chief Executive Officer of AML Farms and Industries Limited. In her strive for professional excellence, she holds a master’s degree in Transport Management with specialisation in Logistics from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. She holds a post-graduate diploma in Logistics also from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology,” the statement added.

The statement, “She is also a graduate of Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta Georgia, USA. As a vice chairperson, she ensures due diligence in the implementation of the organisation’s policies, co-ordinating ideas.

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US-Nigeria Trade Council Seeks 10 Year Visa Policy, Trade Treaty – http://citybusinessnews.com

The US-Nigeria Trade Council has urged Foreign Affairs Ministry and the United States Secretary of States to expand U.S. Visa validity period from two to ten years.

Reviewing the recent visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States, the Council advised the United States and Nigeria to focus less on the politics of the visit “but rather drive explicit policies to lower the barriers of trade and promote economic inclusion on both sides.

The Council explained that the two years Visa policy has “led to long wait times for US visa and sometimes business opportunities are lost.”

As with other non-immigrant U.S. visas, a B-1/B-2 visa has a maximum validity period of two years and allows for one or multiple entries into the United States from Nigeria.

The Council in a statement issued by President/CEO, Titus Olowokere and Director, Marketing & Communication, Sennami Goziem said: “We call upon the Foreign Affairs Ministry as well as the US Secretary of States to expand this to 10 years. Currently US visas issued from Australia has validity period of 5 years; France 10 years, Kenya 5 years and little-known Kyrgyzstan-5 years”.

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USA-Nigeria trade council appoints Ibanga, Oyefeso advisory board members – https://www.vanguardngr.com

THE USA-Nigeria Trade Council, United States of America, has announced the appointment of two new Advisory Board members. They are Mrs. Affiong Israel Ibanga and Mr. Godwin Abiodun Oyefeso. The two fresh members are expected to provide leadership and overall guidance and direction in the programme’s policy and strategic efforts to improve the trade traffic between the USA and Nigeria.

Ibanga, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Shipping, FCIS, is the Vice-Chairperson of Advanced Motors and Logistics Limited, AML, Bonded Terminal, a leading freight forwarder, export / import services, shipping agency and bonded terminal operator. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of AML Farms and Industries Limited.

Oyefeso is an Agribusiness Expert, Publisher, Business Growth Strategist, SME and Export Consultant. A graduate of Accounting, he holds a post graduate diploma (PGD) in Theology. Oyefeso’s work experience spans through manufacturing, marketing and auditing, with the advantage of serving various managerial positions.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/usa-nigeria-trade-council-appoints-ibanga-oyefeso-advisory-board-members/

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US-Nigeria Trade Council Appoints Ibanga, Oyefeso Advisory Board members – citybusinessnews.com

The US-Nigeria Trade Council, USA, has announced the appointment of two new Advisory Board members to provide leadership and overall guidance and direction, in the programmes, policy and strategic efforts to improve the trade traffic between US and Nigeria.

Members of the board are:

1. Mrs. Affiong Israel Ibanga

Mrs. Affiong Israel Ibanga – FCIS, FIFFN, is the Vice-Chairperson of AML Bonded Terminal (Advanced Motors and Logistics Ltd), a leading freight forwarder, export / import services, shipping agency and Bonded Terminal Operator.

She is also the Chief Executive Officer of AML Farms and Industries Ltd. In her strive for professional excellence, she holds a Master’s degree in Transport Management with Specialization in Logistics (MTM), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State. Post Graduate Diploma in Logistics (PGD), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

She is also a graduate of Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta Georgia, USA.

As a Vice Chairperson, she ensures due diligence in the implementation of the organization’s policies, coordinating ideas 2

She belongs to several associations both nationally and internationally, including Institute of shipping, Chartered institute of Logistics and transport (CILT), Women in shipping & trade Association (WISTA) Nigeria as well as the Africa Women In Maritime (WIMA).

She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of A-smile Initiative and Empowerment Foundation, (Georgia, USA & Nigeria)

 2. Mr. GODWIN ABIODUN OYEFESO

Mr. Godwin A. Oyefeso is an Agribusiness Expert, Publisher, Business Growth Strategist, SME and Export Consultant.

A graduate of Accounting; he holds a post graduate Diploma (PGD) in Theology. Oyefeso’s work experience spans through manufacturing, marketing and auditing, with the advantage of serving various managerial positions.

He hosts two radio shows on Agribusiness & Export every week. He has published over 15 books and 35 Manuals on Agricultural, entrepreneurship and export.

He is the President/Founder of Success Edge for Entrepreneurship Development (SEED), Director General of Successedge Exporters Network (SEEN).

He is a member of Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Netherland Business Link, Nigeria-Belgium Business Council as well as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Mr Godwin Oyefeso has given keynote presentations, to the Nigerian Canadian Business Association, Stitch Nigeria Trade Centre in Netherland, Lagos Chamber of Commerce& Industry, USA – AGOA Training program.

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