By Ada Nkong
All is set for the 6th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit scheduled to hold in Abuja from the 13th to 15th November 2023.
Speaking to journalists at the pre-event press briefing in Abuja, the Chairman Nigerians in diaspora commission,Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the summit is aimed at targeting Nigerians in diaspora for inward investment.
According to her, “its primary aim is to demonstrate that in the face of stiff competition for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), targeting Nigerians in Diaspora for inward investment is probably the best strategy for a country like Nigeria with over 15m of its citizens gainfully domiciled in Diaspora. NDIS provides a unique platform for engagement between the Nigerian diaspora and global investors, promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth and development in Nigeria”.
Dabiri-Erewa outlined key areas of focus this year to be agribusiness, technology, education, healthcare, real estate and infrastructure. Others are creative, sport and entertainment; energy, mining and manufacturing.
She further unveiled the lead sponsors for this year’s event as Heifer International .
The director of Heifer International Nigeria,Dr Lekan Tobe on his part said the summit will help to annex resources and deploy them in the right direction.
He said their sponsorship is hinged on the fact that “We feel that our goal of assisting more than two million households to achieve sustainable living income by 2030, through strategic private and public sector partnerships that will support the unlocking of the potential in Nigeria’s agricultural sector to achieve food self-sufficiency is fully aligned with that of the summit, as expressed through the NDIS.
The coordinator of the summit,Dr Badewa Adejugbe-Williams who joined the briefing virtually, appreciated Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her motivation and support which has helped to sustain the summit over the years. She said NDIS provided the opportunity to show what Nigerians in diaspora are doing beyond remittances adding that this sixth edition promises to be the best and the biggest so far.
The director general Directorate for technical cooperation in Africa, Amb. Rabiu Dagari mni. who said the summit is coming at the appropriate time stated that Nigeria has huge potentials and harped on the need for experts in diaspora to tap into the potentials. He pointed out that Chinese and Lebanese as well as South Africa has recognised and annexed the benefits so far.
The features will include: Business Pitching segment where home-based entrepreneurs and founders present their identified investment opportunities to the investors in a moderated session;Special Session by Heifer International, the Lead Sponsor, highlighting major investment opportunities, trends and developments, as well as thought leadership insights in the Agribusiness sector.Also planned is a Crowdfunding panel session to share knowledge, insights and tips on how to maximize crowdfunding for startup and early-stage fundraising, from an African perspective.Keynote remarks by distinguished business leaders Policy statements by high level government officials Expert panel sessions delivering thought leadership and experience sharingDeal room (with deal updates and video interviews going out live online)Business exhibitions (over 30 exhibition stands showing various products and services)Networking opportunities for business connections Gala dinner and cultural evening.
Registration can be done online at the summit website www ndis.gov.ng.
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