Nigerian Businesses To Benefit From US Market Opportunities

USAID Mission Director Melissa Jones (middle) with with program partners during the workshop in Lagos.

Nigerian businesses have been empowered to access opportunities in the American market, to boost the Nigerian economy.

This was the aim of a two-day African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) workshop organised by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Prosper Africa, in collaboration with the Nigerian government. The workshop was held in partnership with key institutions, including the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

AGOA is a U.S. trade programme that allows eligible Sub-Saharan African countries to export up to 6,800 products to the United States without tariffs or export limitations. The workshop aimed to equip Nigerian businesses, particularly those in agriculture, manufacturing, textiles and apparel, with the knowledge and tools necessary to take full advantage of this preferential trade programme.

More than 200 participants, including customs and trade officials, attended the workshop. They received in-depth training on the requirements for AGOA benefits, strategies for export growth and practical guidance on improving the quality and competitiveness of their products. The workshop also provided insights into navigating the U.S. market and enhancing Nigeria’s trade capacity.

Speaking at the event, USAID Nigeria Mission director, Melissa Jones emphasised the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s export base away from crude oil to stabilise the country’s economy. She stated, “Nigeria is a critical partner in U.S.-Africa trade, and this AGOA workshop represents a unique opportunity for Nigerian businesses to increase their presence in the U.S. market.”

U.S. consul-general, Will Stevens encouraged participants to leverage the benefits of AGOA, reiterating the U.S. commitment to fostering a durable trade and investment relationship with Nigeria. He added, “We remain as committed as ever to creating the necessary conditions for a long-term, sustainable trade partnership between our nations.”

The workshop was organised in response to a request from the Nigerian government during the Bi-National Commission meeting in April 2024. Nigerian officials had called for training to help businesses maximise the opportunities offered by AGOA.

Prosper Africa, which coordinates across 17 U.S. government agencies, plays a key role in increasing trade and investment between the U.S. and Africa. Since June 2019, Prosper Africa has facilitated trade deals worth $509 million, demonstrating the tangible benefits of U.S.-Africa trade collaboration. The U.S. government, through Prosper Africa, is also a sponsor of this year’s Lagos Fashion Week, further demonstrating its support for Nigerian businesses in sectors like fashion, textiles and apparel.