The European Union has announced a three-year grant of €300,000 to enhance the operations of the European Chamber of Commerce (Eurocham) Nigeria, reinforcing its secretariat and expanding advocacy initiatives.
Speaking at Eurocham’s 25th Annual Stakeholders Conference in Lagos, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gautier Mignot, described the grant as a significant step toward strengthening EU-Nigeria trade relations.
“A highlight of 2024 that I would like to underscore is the approval of a three-year grant to the tune of €300,000, which we awarded to Eurocham last year,” Mignot stated. “This financial support will allow the Chamber to strengthen its Secretariat’s administrative capacity and expand external activities and advocacy work on behalf of its members.”
The EU’s financial support is intended to reinforce Eurocham’s role in policy dialogue and strategic engagement with local governments, policymakers, and business stakeholders. Mignot emphasized that the initiative would foster a more conducive business environment, facilitating trade and investment between Europe and Nigeria.
“By building on what has been achieved so far, we pave the way for even greater opportunities in key areas like trade, investment, and infrastructure development,” he noted.
Highlighting the EU’s economic ties with Nigeria, Mignot reaffirmed that the bloc remains the country’s largest trading partner and a key source of foreign direct investment and development financing.
He also linked the grant to the EU’s broader Global Gateway Strategy, a four-year initiative designed to enhance infrastructure across Nigeria and other African nations. According to him, Nigeria will play a prominent role in the investment package, which includes projects in digital skills, e-governance, and the deployment of 90,000 km of fiber-optic cables across the country.
“We look forward to greater visibility for transformative projects such as the Omi Eko water transportation initiative,” he added. “Investments in agriculture, renewable energy, local vaccine manufacturing, and sustainable transportation remain key priorities, and we count on Eurocham to play an active role in identifying opportunities and advocating for a conducive business environment.”
