By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) on Wednesday hosted the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, at a high-level Nigeria–Lesotho Business-to-Business (B2B) meeting in Abuja aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, investment and private sector collaboration between the two countries.
The Lesotho Prime Minister led a high-powered delegation to the Chamber, where he was received on behalf of ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu (SAN), by the Chamber’s Second Deputy President, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong.
The meeting brought together business leaders from Nigeria and Lesotho to explore investment opportunities and expand commercial cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, infrastructure, hospitality, tourism, information technology and other emerging sectors.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Hong described the engagement as a major step towards advancing economic diplomacy and strengthening commercial relations between both countries. He said the meeting reflected a shared commitment to boosting intra-African trade, attracting investments and driving sustainable economic growth through private sector partnerships.
He reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to promoting trade, commerce, investment and enterprise development while supporting strategic partnerships across Africa.
Dr. Hong also highlighted the Chamber’s strategic institutions, including the Abuja Trade Centre, the Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC) and the Dispute Resolution Centre (DRC), which provide investment promotion, business development, policy advocacy and dispute resolution services.
Prime Minister Matekane said his visit to Abuja was aimed at showcasing the investment opportunities available in Lesotho and connecting businesses in the southern African kingdom with Nigerian investors and entrepreneurs.
He said Lesotho was open to partnerships with investors committed to driving economic transformation and sustainable development.
“Our mission is to build meaningful business relationships that will transform partnerships into investments and investments into prosperity for our people,” the Prime Minister said, urging Nigerian businesses to take advantage of opportunities in Lesotho.
He also praised Nigeria’s vibrant private sector and expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between businesses in both countries would create new opportunities for growth and development.
The Director-General of ACCI, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, described the Chamber as a suitable platform for promoting business cooperation, trade facilitation and market access. He called for sustained collaboration to translate business discussions into concrete investments.
Also speaking, Lesotho’s Minister of Industry and Business Development, Motlatsi Mwalepo, stressed the need for purposeful engagement between governments and the private sector to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Chairman and Publisher of the African Leadership Organization (ALO), Dr. Ola Giami, urged African business leaders to play a more active role in shaping policies that promote economic growth and regional integration. He described ACCI as a credible platform for business networking and investment facilitation.
Participants expressed optimism that the Nigeria–Lesotho B2B meeting would boost trade, investment flows, joint ventures, technology transfer and long-term economic cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The meeting ended with networking sessions aimed at fostering strategic partnerships and strengthening commercial relations between businesses from both countries.
