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• as Ireland’s envoy backs Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit Initiative (NDIS) has so far had 900 business links established, over 200 deals closed and 5,000 participants recorded since inception, Chairman/CEO of Nigerian in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has disclosed.
The NIDCOM boss who made the disclosure at the opening at the 6th edition of the Summit in Abuja on Monday, said the NDIS has attracted Diaspora investment into local businesses in Nigeria, with bounteous success stories, in terms of connections and social impact.
According to her, NDIS has emerged as the premier business networking event that links investors located in the Nigerian Diaspora with Nigerian business owners and NGO operators. It also offers the Diaspora community a way to give back by endorsing many worthy NGOs.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, the main purpose of the summit is to show that interacting with the diaspora is a more viable approach to drawing foreign capital into the developing, diverse Nigerian economy. Among the goals is to create a forum for interaction between diaspora investors.
“With other potential sponsors, partners, business promoters and the government. Business match making opportunities and showcasing and exploring the business and sponsorship opportunities in all 36 States of Nigeria for Diaspora investment”, she said.
The NIDCOM boss said the three-day event will focus on Healthcare; Education; Agribusiness; Creative, Entertainment & Sports; Telecommunication; ICT/Fintech; Manufacturing and Real Estate sectors.
Regarding the rationale for this year’s Summit theme, “New Vistas, New Aspirations, New Opportunities,” the NIDCOM chairman stated that in order for the Federal Government to make significant progress in its efforts to realign the economy, it will be necessary to collaborate with the diaspora to accomplish these objectives.
She said, “The Diaspora and National Development is very appropriate because it creates innovative platforms of partnerships, between the Government and the Diaspora, in attracting investment into local businesses and thus enhancing Foreign Direct Investment in the country.
“And Also facilitating economic transformation through research and the local development of new energy soutions, which is expected to boost cross-sectoral investment cooperation”, she added.
She listed few of the local firms and companies that have benefited through participating at NDIS to include start -ups like Opalson Nigeria Limited which exports agro commodities from Nigeria to the international market.
“Nairaxi (logistics tech); Surejobz App (recruitment tech); iSTEM LabsAfrica (education tech); and KudiMata, the Fintech education start-up now expanding into a household name in Nigeria”, she said.
Speaking to journalists after the opening session, she stressed the abundant opportunities that is available in Nigeria, which can earn diasporas money, without necessarily being present.
According to her, NDIS is all about wealth creation by the Diasporans.
Dabiri-Erewa applauded the pitching session of the summit saying it will open doors for upcoming and existing small businesses to connect with investors abroad.
“It is about how you can get money for your businesses and we have those at the Diaspora who are actually employing people here.
“You don’t have to be physically present. There are people who are earning money online through them.
“As we look forward towards that, we are saying we want to have Diaspora Direct Investment. You know, it is slow and steady but we are still doing it. You can see the passion in the country.
“Diaspirans are investing all ready, particularly in Health care industry, ICT, food business, Education. So we are happy with what we are seen here today.”
According to her, the continuation of the annual event will support the Diaspora community by giving them a sense of belonging and enabling them to contribute their fair share. It will also increase the productivity of the national economy and, in the short and long term, help Nigeria achieve the sustainable development that the country so desperately needs.
The Ambassador of Republic of Ireland to Nigeria, Peter Ryan has thrown his weight behind NDIS, saying he was not surprise about the abundant of talents in Nigeria.
He said, “It’s a really inspiration morning. Any time the diasporans come to gather to connect with one another, I think it is worthwhile and really interesting time for Nigerians in diaspora.
“I am very impressed with what I have seen and impressed with what I have heard. Not surprise at all. I learnt from Nigerians in Diaspora in Ireland that there are so many talented and motivated people ready to work with partners at home and also with partners around the world.
“Anything we can do to support and encourage that and we know from our own diaspora, the important role that they can play as a partner in national initiatives and I’m delighted to be part of this, this morning. I’ve learned a lot already.
“I have learned also about pitching and about some of the some of the sectoral and entrepreneurship taking place in Nigeria.”
Summit Coordinator and Chair, Planning Committee, Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Willaims, described the summit as being about human capital development, building humanity, empowering the micro, small and middium enterprises and the ordinary market woman.
The summit has both on site and virtual participants.
