Chairman Chen: Building Africa’s New Industrial Backbone

In a global economy marked by shifting alliances and recalibrated development agendas, Chairman Diana Chen represents a different kind of investor. One who doesn’t just fund projects but anchors ecosystems.
As Chairman of Choice International Group (CIG), a multinational enterprise with operations across Africa, she has steadily crafted a presence that blends commerce with community and industry with identity. In Nigeria, her vision is most visible across mobility, renewable energy, education, and public infrastructure where CIG is helping shape a new paradigm for industrial development.

From Assembly to Advancement

One of CIG’s defining moves was the establishment of a vehicle assembly plant in Ogba, Lagos, in partnership with the Lagos State Government. More than a factory, the facility symbolizes a shift toward localization. It transfers technical know-how, encourages homegrown solutions, and supports national goals for economic diversification.
Chairman Chen’s strategy avoids the pitfalls of transactional engagement. Instead, her model champions the sustained transfer of skills and systems. It establishes local capacity not just to assemble but to evolve with technological shifts, including electric mobility.

Investing in People, Not Just Projects

At the core of CIG’s Africa strategy lies human capital. Chairman Chen’s philanthropic arm, the Chief Diana Chen Foundation, serves as a vehicle to identify and nurture talent. A recent example is the sponsorship of 25 engineering students from Yaba College of Technology to pursue advanced studies in China. This initiative strengthens bilateral cooperation while equipping young Africans with globally competitive skills.
This focus on education is not incidental. It reflects a deliberate belief that long-term growth requires more than infrastructure. It demands knowledge, exposure, and adaptability.

Building Trust Through Tangible Engagement Chairman

Chen’s role extends beyond CIG’s boardroom. As Vice Chair of the China Africa Business Council, she has been a visible figure in shaping the tone and substance of private sector engagement between the two regions. Her voice within the council carries weight, not just for the scale of investments she represents but for the inclusive approach she brings to business development.
Multiple traditional titles conferred on her in Nigeria point to something rare among foreign investors. Deep-rooted societal respect. This reflects not only economic impact but a credibility earned through consistent, culturally sensitive partnership.

The Road Ahead

CIG’s next chapter includes further expansion into Kenya, Ghana, and francophone West Africa. These are markets where Chairman Chen believes similar models of collaboration can be replicated. What sets this vision apart is its emphasis on longevity. It is not about rushing to market dominance. It is about building institutions and industries that will outlast headlines and political cycles.
In a world where investment in Africa often oscillates between opportunism and caution, Chairman Chen offers a different playbook. One defined by depth, not speed. Systems, not snapshots.