By Dipo Olowookere
The United States Consulate has expressed its willingness to work closely with Nigeria to attract sustainable investments to the country at this critical period of the nation.
The US Consul General, Mr Will Stevens, said this at the closing gong ceremony to commemorate his visit to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Friday, October 14, 2022, in Lagos.
During the visit, the American diplomat said his country was interested in various sectors of the Nigerian economy, especially technology, energy and agriculture.
According to him, Nigeria and the US have a longstanding relationship spanning trade, security and others. He noted that efforts would be made to ensure more American companies invest in Nigeria, as his country would also make it possible for Nigerians to increase their investments in the US.
Mr Stevens said he was at the exchange because he believed the platform was reputable and transparent based on its track records.
“It is an honour, and I am very excited to be here today. Our goal is to work with the exchange to create transparency and accessibility for Nigerian companies to international investors.
“I am looking forward to doing everything I can to increase trade between our nations, US investments in Nigeria, and Nigerian investments in the US,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the NGX, Mr Temi Popoola, underscored the consulate’s critical role in driving the cooperation, assuring his guest of NGX’s commitment to its sustenance.
“The US Consulate plays a commendable role in driving sustainable investments in Nigeria’s technology, agriculture and energy sectors via strategic partnerships with American corporates and investors that have significantly aided Nigeria’s economic growth and further entrenches the importance of sustaining our cooperation.
“NGX, through our role as a frontrunner for sustainable finance and business practices for the Nigerian capital market, will continue to champion initiatives that stir the ecosystem along the path to achieving economic recovery and inclusive development,” he said.
Mr Popoola stated that NGX was keen on exploring avenues through which it could be the point of contact between Nigerian investors looking to access the US market and US institutional and retail investors wanting to approach the domestic market.
“NGX is well positioned to leverage its partnerships for private sector advocacy, building capacity of market players, technological progress and digital transformation of markets.”
