Dangote boosts Abuja International Trade Fair: ACCI

*Victoria Akai, Director-General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasises the Dangote-ACCI partnership is strategic, and geared towards showcasing made-in-Nigeria products to help inform prospective exporters about available opportunities

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Dangote Group has been described as a significant premium player as over 300 corporate exhibitors are participating in the 17th Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF).

ConsumerConnect reports the Trade Fair was expected to be declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari Friday, September 30, 2022.

The 17th AITF is holds between Friday, September 30 and Sunday, October 9, 2022, at the ACCI Abuja International Trade Fair Complex, in the FCT.

Ms. Victoria Akai, Director-General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), told reporters: “As a member of ACCI, the Dangote Group further strengthens the position of ACCI in implementing business activities and advocating business-friendly policies.

Dangote Group Corporate Communications Department, in a statement, disclosed the Director-General noted the Dangote-ACCI partnership is strategic and geared towards showcasing made-in-Nigeria products, which will help inform prospective exporters about the available opportunities and processes.

Ms. Akai said the company had been a significant sponsor of the Abuja International Trade Fair, including this year’s Trade Fair.

Dangote Group stated Friday Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, President of ACCI, also noted the theme for this year’s exhibition: “Creating an Export Ready Market through SMEs Digitisation,” offers a wide range of opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises to ginger their performance, and especially in relation to the non-oil sector.

Dr. Abubakar said: “The Abuja International Trade Fair, since its inception, has served Nigeria as a trusted global trade destination and a potential market for over 50,000 consumers.”

The company further stated Engr. Mansur Ahmed, Dangote Group’s Executive Director of Government and Strategic Relations, said the partnership with ACCI offered the Group the opportunity to display its numerous innovative products while contributing its quota to the Nigerian economy through Trade Fairs and expos.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Group, is passionate about developing the Nigerian economy, exporting made-in-Nigerian goods, earning foreign exchange, and creating jobs for the populace, according to the company.

Ahmed as well noted that the company is desirous of entering into any strategic partnership that will set the country on the path of rapid growth and development.

Aside from government, the statement indicated that Dangote Group is the second biggest employer of labour in Nigeria.

The Group stated that a special help desk had been set up at the Dangote’s pavilion at the Trade Fair ground to respond to queries.

The company urged the participants to leverage the numerous innovative products, including Dangote Fertilizer, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Cement, Dangote Salt, and lots more.

Dangote Group to bolster Africa’s earnings, say experts

Meanwhile, as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) implementation commences, experts have said that the continent is in a privileged position, considering the Dangote Group’s huge international investment portfolio.

According to the pundits, Dangote Group has positioned its subsidiaries as multinational conglomerates, which have continued to play a pivotal role in the industrialisation of Africa.

The multi-billion Naira Dangote Cement Plc, for instance, has a presence in over 10 African countries, while the newly incorporated Dangote Fertilizer and Oil Refinery are capable of mitigating the continent’s shortfall in foreign earnings.

Ms. Victoria Akai, Director-General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), said the Dangote Group has been a pacesetter in manufacturing while boosting Nigeria and Africa’s earnings.

Akai stated: “The Founder Alhaji Aliko Dangote is a visionary leader and has led the Group to become one of the leading brands in Africa and the world, which is a pride to every Nigerian.”

The company, she noted, is one of the biggest and most strategic partners of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

The 17th Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) takes place from Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 9, 2022, at the ACCI Abuja International Trade Fair Complex, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Dangote Group disclosed the business conglomerate is the major sponsor of the 17th Edition of the Abuja International Trade Fair.

The company said the trade fair seeks to deepen trade across Africa.

Nigeria has enormous potential: ACCI Chief

Speaking on the role of small-scale industries, Director-General of ACCI, further said with the heightened interest in the African market coupled with the implementation of the AfCFTA, Nigeria is in a privileged position, given the role of the Dangote Group and several other big companies.

Akai also stated that Nigeria has enormous potential for export, considering the number of SMEs in the West African country.

“SMEs represent about 96% of the business fabric and generate over 70%of employment while contributing to about 48% of Nigeria’s GDP, making them the engine of Nigeria’s economy and playing a vital role in the economic recovery,” said Ms. Akai.

The AFCFTA, established in 2018, is a free trade area comprising most African countries as signatories, making it the largest free trade area by number and second only to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Under the agreement, parties are committed to eliminating tariffs on most goods and services, as well as eliminating other impediments to free trade.

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