Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Ugo Aliogo, in Washington DC
President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that Nigeria remains the best destination for American investors to put their money.
According to the President, aside from the population advantage in size and demography, various incentives and policies implemented by the Nigerian Government make it a destination of choice for investment.
Speaking yesterday in Washington DC at the U.S – Nigeria Business and Investment Forum, Business Roundtable organised by the American Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, on the sidelines of the US-Africa Leaders Summit, President Buhari explained that Nigeria as the most populous country and largest economy in Africa, remains Africa’s largest single consumer market, projected to account for over 15 per cent of overall growth in Africa’s spending, by 2025.
He said: “Investors in the country would have access to new markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area, (AfCTA), which would be the world’s largest free trade area, would be expected to connect 1.3 billion people across 55 countries and a consumer market that will be worth over $3 trillion by 2030, and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) valued at US$3.4 trillion.”
According to him, “Since 2015, when my administration assumed office, fixing of the infrastructural gaps needed for business to thrive in Nigeria, namely; roads, railways, air and sea ports, energy and telecommunications, constituted greater priorities for government. Related to these conscious and practical efforts, is the resolve by our Administration to improve the business environment through business incentives, regulatory reforms and visa-regime that are business-friendly.
“The outcome of the massive efforts and investments by our administration in Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment, i.e. Road Construction and Rehabilitation, Investment Tax Credit Policy, led to the reconstruction of 21 selected federal roads, totaling 1,804.6 KM. With regards to railways, sea and air ports as well as energy, which are expected to facilitate movements of people, goods and services as well as sustain the stabilisation of industries and their growth respectively.”
President Buhari stressed that despite the global challenges occasioned by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, the Nigerian economy has continued to record impressive growth in many sectors:
“On economy, Nigeria like other countries , including the developed economies, is facing economic challenges, occasioned by the disruptions as a result of the COVID – 19 pandemic, the ongoing Ukraine war and the Climate Change, in which massive flooding is one the manifestations. Notwithstanding these global challenges, Nigeria had witnessed seven consecutive quarters of growth, after the negative growth rates recorded in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters of 2020. Nigeria’s GDP grew by 3.54 per cent year-on-year in real terms in the 2nd Quarter of 2022, which represents a sustained positive economic performance, especially for the Non-Oil GDP which fell by 4.77 per cent in Q2 2022 against Oil GDP that grew by -11.77 per cent.
“Statistics continue to indicate that most sectors of our economy recorded positive growth despite these challenges, which reflect the effective implementation of the economic sustainability measures introduced by our Administration. For our economy to favourably meet up the global digitisation, Nigeria embraced Communication and Digital Economy. Already, the broadband coverage of the country stands at 44.32 per cent and 77.52 per cent. 4G coverage has also been achieved, with the establishment of 36,751 4G base stations nationwide.”
The President further emphasised on the sustained efforts of his administration to reverse the pervasive state of insecurity he inherited especially in the Northeast, commending the government of the United States for the support it has rendered in this aspect.
His words: “When our administration came to power in 2015, most of the North-East of Nigeria was under the control of Boko Haram Terrorist Group. Governance and Socio-Economic activities came to stand-still. This state of happening has today been reversed. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are returning to their ancestral home-areas, rebuilt through efforts by the Borno State Government and some philanthropic individuals, to recommence their lives in relative peace. As a country and sub-region, we continue to make sustained investments and efforts to strengthen our national and sub-regional security.
“In such circumstances, Nigeria continues to treasure strong partnerships with friends and allies in our national, continental and global efforts for safety and survival. We thank the United States of America for her partnership and as an ally, which made it possible to acquire arms, weapons and other military hardware, which has assisted Nigeria in her efforts to contain the scourge of terrorism and maritime insecurity,” the President said.
