The first phase of the Benin Nigeria Business Forum 2026 successfully opened on 26 January 2026 in Abuja, bringing together members of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI), the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and other private sector leaders from both countries.
This meeting marks a major step forward in strengthening the Benin-Nigeria economic corridor, with a clear ambition to stimulate bilateral investment, encourage the establishment of Nigerian companies in Benin, and translate trade exchanges into concrete, value-creating projects.
A key highlight of this phase was the signing, on 27 January 2026, of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Investment and Export Promotion Agency of Benin (APIEx-Benin) and the NIPC, laying the foundations for enhanced institutional cooperation in support of cross-border investment.
As emphasised by Dr Jani Ibrahim, President of NACCIMA :
« NACCIMA is ready to strengthen economic partnerships between Nigeria and Benin in order to attract and facilitate strategic investments and develop high-impact projects for the benefit of both nations. »
A clear momentum is taking shape : Benin is ready to host, Nigeria is ready to invest, and GDIZ is ready to welcome the projects arising from this dynamic.
