Blissomo International Limited, Nigeria, and MT Events and Projects Management CC, Namibia, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop and implement the Africa cross-border commerce and investment summit.

The agreement was signed simultaneously at the Nigerian and Namibian missions in Abuja and Windhoek through a virtual ceremony.

Namibia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Walde Ndevashiya, said the initiative would provide a practical platform for connecting businesses, opening markets and developing partnerships between the two countries and across Africa.

Mr Ndevashiya also said the MoU showed what the private sector could achieve by creating practical platforms for African business cooperation.

He noted that the simultaneous signing at the two high commissions was symbolic of how diplomacy could create platforms for practical commercial engagements.

According to him, Namibia and Nigeria have long-standing relations founded on friendship, solidarity and mutual respect.

He said the relationship must, however, evolve beyond government-to-government engagement to stronger business-to-business, private-sector and people-to-people partnerships capable of generating trade, investment, employment and shared prosperity.

The envoy said the two missions had worked together to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment, energy and oil and gas, tourism, creative industries, culture as well as business networking.

“This MoU therefore comes at an important moment. It provides a practical platform for connecting businesses, opening markets and developing partnerships across our two countries and, importantly, across the African continent,” he said.

Mr Ndevashiya further said the proposed summit could become a meaningful platform where African businesses could identify markets, partners, investors and opportunities.

He urged stakeholders to move beyond conversations and declarations towards actual commercial relationships, transactions and investments.

The high commissioner said the initiative aligned with the broader African objective of strengthening intra-African trade and investment, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He assured the partners of the Namibian High Commission’s continued support in Abuja to deepen economic partnerships between Nigeria and Namibia.

Also speaking, Namibia’s Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, said the partnership resulted from contacts established during a business dinner organised in Namibia.

Ms Iipumbu said the dinner brought together potential businesswomen and stakeholders from Nigeria and Namibia, adding that the contacts made at the event eventually developed into business relationships.

She described the development as a practical demonstration of the African proverb, “where there is a will, there is a way”.

The minister encouraged other participants and members of the business community to take advantage of the initiative to develop similar partnerships.

The Deputy Director (WTO), Trade Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abu-Ali Ndah, said the ministry welcomed the partnership between the two companies.

Mr Ndah, represented by Dayo Okewole, described the signing as a historic occasion aimed at building the Africa cross-border commerce and investment summit.

He congratulated Blissomo International Limited and MT Events and Projects Management CC for their vision and commitment to advancing economic integration on the continent.

“Today’s event is not just a ceremony. It is a practical step towards realising the profound economic aspirations of our continent,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Blissomo International Limited, Dr Blessing Irabor-Oza, said the ceremony was not simply about signing a document, but giving formal expression to a partnership and shared vision.

Ms Irabor-Oza said African businesses could create greater value when connected to the right markets, capital, knowledge, people, institutions and opportunities across borders.

She said the partnership was intended to strengthen commercial connections between African businesses and facilitate access to opportunities across the continent.

The Africa cross-border commerce and investment summit is expected to provide a platform for businesses, investors and other stakeholders to explore trade and investment opportunities and establish partnerships across African markets.

 (NAN)