Last week, I hosted Mahesh Mishra, Head of Growth, Trade and Investment Group at the British High Commission, and members of his team to an extensive and insightful dialogue at the Bank of Industry headquarters. Our discussions focused on strengthening partnerships that can unlock greater opportunities for Nigerian businesses, deepen industrial development, and drive sustainable economic growth through trade, investment, and innovation. We remain committed to building strategic collaborations that support enterprise growth and position Nigeria for greater prosperity.

It was an honour to host Mr. Serge Mian, Managing Director of African Guarantee Fund, and his delegation at Bank of Industry this morning in Lagos. The courtesy visit underscored the importance of stronger institutional collaboration to address the financing challenges faced by businesses across Africa, particularly SMEs, which remain central to economic growth, innovation, and job creation. During our discussions, we exchanged perspectives on deepening cooperation in areas such as risk-sharing mechanisms, access to credit, enterprise development, and sustainable financing models to support long-term economic resilience. We also reaffirmed that development finance institutions play a shared role in catalysing investment, supporting local industries, and helping businesses scale competitively. At BOl, we remain committed to building strategic partnerships that expand opportunities for businesses, strengthen the private sector, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's industrial and economic advancement.

Bank of Industry has signed a Cooperation Agreement with IFC - International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, to advance the development of the Abuja Conference and Exhibition Arena (ACE Arena) - a proposed world-class conference and exhibition hub in Abuja. Envisioned under a Public-Private Partnership framework, the ACE Arena is expected to drive tourism, create jobs, attract private capital and unlock long-term economic opportunities for Nigeria. Through this collaboration, IFC will provide advisory support for the project's early-stage development, helping to lay the foundation for infrastructure that meets international standards of quality and sustainability. At BOl, we remain committed to enabling transformative projects that stimulate economic growth and strengthen Nigeria's global competitiveness. #BOI #IFC #ACEArena #DevelopmentFinance #EconomicGrowth

I had the privilege of speaking at the @NAPENigeria AICE All Convention Luncheon, where the focus was on improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Strengthening collaboration between government, financial institutions, and industry players is key to unlocking Nigeria's economic potential and driving sustainable development.

I had the honor of engaging in a high-level meeting with Ms. Mihoko Kumamoto, Director of the Division for Prosperity at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research @UNITAR alongside the Senior Adviser to the President on Capacity Development @sadiqmnr