The European Union has unveiled a three-year grant worth €300,000 to strengthen the secretariat of the European Chamber of Commerce (Eurocham) Nigeria.
According to a statement, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Gautier Mignot, the grant will also enhance advocacy, and deepen engagement with stakeholders.
Disclosing the grant during Eurocham’s 25th Annual Stakeholders Conference in Lagos, Mignot described the financial support as a major step in improving EU-Nigeria trade relations.
“A highlight of 2024 that I would like to underscore is the approval of a three-year grant to the tune of €300,000, which we awarded to Eurocham last year,” Mignot said. “This financial support will allow the Chamber to strengthen its Secretariat’s administrative capacity and expand external activities and advocacy work on behalf of its members.”
The EU’s intervention aims to reinforce Eurocham’s role in policy dialogue and strategic engagement with local governments, policymakers, and business stakeholders.
Mignot stressed that the support would create a more conducive business environment, enabling Eurocham to promote trade and investment between Europe and Nigeria.
“By building on what has been achieved so far, we pave the way for even greater opportunities in key areas like trade, investment, and infrastructure development,” he stated.
Mignot reaffirmed the EU’s position as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a key source of foreign direct investment and development financing.
He also linked the grant to the broader EU Global Gateway Strategy, a four-year initiative aimed at improving infrastructure in Nigeria and other African countries.
According to him, Nigeria will feature prominently in the investment package, covering areas such as digital skills, e-governance, and the deployment of 90,000 km of fibre-optic cables across the country.
“We look forward to greater visibility for transformative projects such as the Omi Eko water transportation initiative,” he said. “Investments in agriculture, renewable energy, local vaccine manufacturing, and sustainable transportation remain key priorities, and we count on Eurocham to play an active role in identifying opportunities and advocating for a conducive business environment.”
