Nigeria, U.S. Sign MoU To Enhance Trade, Investment

Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment and the U.S. Department of Commerce have finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formally establish a new bilateral policy instrument focused on trade and investment between both countries.

The U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Dialogue (CID) is a U.S. Department of Commerce and Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment-led mechanism designed to promote increased, diverse, and sustained trade and investment between the United States and Nigeria.

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The CID, the newest instrument of U.S. engagement with Nigeria, is different in that it leverages the voice of the private sector in the effort to enhance the bilateral commercial and investment relationship.

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelemah, signed the MoU, witnessed by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Seward L. Jones, Jr.

The document had been previously signed in Washington by Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. on behalf of the United States Government.

The United States and Nigeria have worked together for several months on the requisite details to establish the CID.

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The CID will initially focus on infrastructure, agriculture, digital economy, investment, and regulatory reform.

At the 2016 U.S.-Africa Business Summit in New York, President Muhammadu Buhari announced his support for the CID and Enelemah has worked tirelessly with many senior officials of the U.S. Department of Commerce to bring about yesterday’s signing.

The CID is expected to launch in early 2018 at a meeting co-chaired by Secretary Ross and Minister Enelemah.

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