Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria Tel: Ext

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1 Contact Person Dr Marc Lucassen Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria Tel: Ext lucassen@lagos-ahk.de 7th German Nigerian Business Forum After its successful relaunch in 2017, the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (DGIC) in collaboration with the Nigerian-German Business Association (NGBA) and the Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft had the pleasure of hosting the 7 th German Nigerian Business Forum, which took place on June The Forum drew over 400 participants: decision-makers, business owners, managers, strategic planners, financial officers, business development professionals, marketing specialists and those providing products and services related to business in Germany and Nigeria. This year, the Forum had a particular focus on Nigeria s untouched potentials after the economic recession, a subject which drew more than a few entrepreneurs and experts in the fields of Agribusiness and Food Processing as well as Energy; Banking, Finance and Investment; Infrastructure; Mining, Oil and Gas; Digitalization and Startups; Technical and Vocational Education Training. After the guests arrival and registration, welcome addresses were presented by: Dr. Marc Lucassen Delegate Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria Mr. Chuma Anosike Board Member, Nigerian-German Business Association Dr. Markus Thill Member of the Board of Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft (AV) President Region Africa Robert Bosch Pty Ltd., South Africa H.E. Dr Bernhard Schlagheck German Ambassador to Nigeria Over the course of the Forum, guests were treated to keynote addresses and panel discussions by a number of distinguished key players in the public and private sectors on a wide range of topics to intrigue the participants of the forum, who represented a great variety of industry sectors.

2 The keynote speakers at the 7 th German Nigerian Business Forum included: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, Hon. Minister for Trade & Investment H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Executive Governor, Lagos State H.E. Mr. Ibikunle Amosun, Executive Governor, Ogun State H.E. Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Hon. Minister for Power H.E. Dr. Audu Ogbeh, Hon. Minister for Agriculture Among the panellists, who participated in the various discussion panels at the Forum, were: Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CEO/GMD, Access Bank Plc. Mr. Markus Gabbert, Head of Legal Department, DEG Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria Nigeria Mr. Jeremy Gaines, Coordinator, Nigerian-German Energy Partnership H.E. Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, Hon. Minister for Trade & Investment Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere, Chairman, Nigerian Agri Business Group (NAGB) Dr. Michael Blank, Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) Aside from the invaluable keynote addresses and discussion panels, the Forum also offered many occasions for guests and participants to network and engage in Q&A sessions. At the end of the first day of the Forum, guests were invited to a dinner reception hosted by the Bavarian delegation. The 7 th German Nigerian Business Forum was another rousing success for economic growth and bilateral relations between the two countries, leaving many happy participants looking forward to next year.

3 [PHOTO 01] Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, received a German business delegation led by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria to discuss future economic collaboration between the two countries. The deliberations revealed untapped potentials for trade and investment, which all involved expressed an eagerness to unlock for the mutual benefit of these partnering nations, a partnership committed to economic growth. - [PHOTO 02] The DGIC was honoured to host this Bavarian business delegation, which was also received by business tycoon and richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote. The Dangote Group has been successfully collaborating with German business partners

4 across Africa for many decades. During the delegation s recent visit at the Forum, the Nigerian side firmly expressed interest in strengthening those ties. [PHOTO 03] Fruitful discussions on leveraging partnership for economic growth between the Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okey Enelamah, and Delegate for the DGIC, Dr Marc Lucassen, during the German Nigerian Business Forum in Lagos. Nigeria is Germany's second most important trading partner in Subsahara Africa. -

5 [PHOTO 04] Dr Marc Lucassen, Delegate for the DGIC sharing thoughts on access to finance in the largest economy of Africa with Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Bank. The private sector in Nigeria has been struggling with high interest rates and limited availability of credit.