The United States and Nigeria have pledged to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, emphasizing private sector-led growth following a high-level meeting in Lagos.
The commitment was formalized during the U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP) Ministerial, co-chaired by Bradley McKinney, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Commercial Service, and Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole. The session, held on Friday, represents a key step under the five-year CIP framework launched to expand two-way commerce and promote sustainable economic development.
According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, the ministerial reviewed progress from three CIP Working Groups—Agriculture, Digital Economy, and Infrastructure—comprising private sector leaders from both nations. These groups presented targeted proposals aimed at improving business environments and dismantling trade barriers. Both governments also convened a joint delegation of financing and project development experts to assess priority reforms.
McKinney highlighted six months of “practical proposals to unlock trade and deepen bilateral commercial engagement.” Oduwole welcomed expanded U.S. investment into Nigeria’s priority sectors, stressing national efforts to accelerate non-oil export diversification and enhance Nigerian businesses’ access to U.S. markets. She noted that since the working groups’ formation in mid-2025, Nigeria has advanced business climate reforms and policy alignment to foster a more predictable investment climate.
Senior officials in attendance included U.S. Mission Chargé d’Affaires Keith Heffern, USDA’s Jason Hafemeister, and USTDA’s Heather Lanigan. Nigeria was represented by Ambassador Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Director of Investment Gertrude Orji.
The partnership holds substantial economic weight. Nigeria is the United States’ second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade in goods and services totaling nearly $13 billion in 2024. That same year, U.S. foreign direct investment in Nigeria rose 25.2 percent to reach $7.9 billion.
Under the CIP, both countries will continue consultations on a broad range of trade and investment issues, seeking to expand services trade and stimulate investment flows that drive growth and job creation. The collaborative approach signals a mutual intent to build a more integrated and resilient commercial relationship.
