NACCIMA, ODDO BHF Advance Strategies for Long-Term Financing, Greater Africa-Europe Investment
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has intensified efforts to strengthen trade, investment and long-term financing flows between Africa and Europe.
The National President of NACCIMA, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, mni, OON, led a delegation of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to a high-level Executive Round Table hosted by European financial institution, ODDO BHF, in collaboration with Nigerian law firm, Aluko & Oyebode, at The Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The strategic luncheon, themed “The Africa-Europe Trade and Investment Corridor: Where Capital Meets Opportunity,” brought together senior representatives of government, diplomacy, financial institutions and the private sector to explore opportunities for capital mobilisation, investment and trade between the two continents.
Engr. Ibrahim was accompanied by the Director General of NACCIMA, Engr. Olusola Obadimu, FNSE, and the National Digital Economy Coordinator, Dr. Segun H. Olugbile.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Florian Witt, Managing Director, International Banking, Member of the Group Business Executive Committee of ODDO BHF and Chair of the ICC Global Banking Commission.
Witt highlighted ODDO BHF’s long-term commitment to sustainable development in Africa, particularly in carbon capture and reforestation. He disclosed that the institution had established a €200 million dedicated fund to support sustainable forestry, community infrastructure and carbon-credit opportunities.
Deliberations at the meeting focused on measures to recalibrate Africa’s risk perception using empirical data, rebuild the Germany-Nigeria industrial and investment corridor, strengthen financial sovereignty and indigenous banking capacity, mobilise capital for digital infrastructure and data residency, and expand green finance to support Africa’s climate transition.
Speaking at the conclusion of the session, NACCIMA National President, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, stressed the need for a deliberate “Push and Pull” strategy to attract long-term international capital.
He explained that while European financial institutions and investors provide the market “pull,” Nigerian businesses and institutions must create the “push” by developing credible, bankable and investment-ready commercial projects capable of absorbing long-term capital.
The meeting also underscored the need to convert investor interest into structured transactions through appropriate risk frameworks, credible project preparation, transparent governance and strong institutional partnerships.
As part of the outcomes, NACCIMA, ODDO BHF and participating private-sector stakeholders agreed to advance discussions on a dedicated ECA-backed Digital and Trade Infrastructure Financing Facility.
The proposed facility is expected to support strategic digital and trade infrastructure, manufacturing, excluding defence industries, agro-processing and solid minerals beneficiation, while facilitating cross-border commerce and strengthening Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
It is also intended to help address critical infrastructure gaps constraining Nigeria’s industrialisation and broader economic growth.
NACCIMA reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with international financial institutions, development partners, government agencies and the organised private sector to transform Nigeria’s investment opportunities into bankable projects, productive capital and measurable economic outcomes.
The engagement represents another step towards deepening Africa-Europe economic relations and creating sustainable financing channels capable of supporting Nigeria’s long-term industrial and digital transformation.
