World
Nigeria Trading Across the Continent Under NIDO-Africa’s Leadership
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
In this insightful interview, Professor Jude Osakwe, Continental Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) Africa, highlights the rapidly shifting global trade landscape and the renewed focus on intra-African trade. This necessitates convening the Regional Trade Conference — ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ — in Dakar, Senegal, from 24–28 November 2025.
Professor Osakwe underlined a key message: while multilateral trade frameworks are increasingly fragmented, this development presents a strong opportunity to strengthen the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Consequently, Nigeria’s NIDO-Africa “Made-in-Nigeria” initiative aims to advance the country’s trade aspirations within the framework of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Below are excerpts from the interview. Here are the interview excerpts:
In the context of geopolitical shift, how would you characterize and argue that the forthcoming event ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ is an integral aspect of Intra-Africa trade policy under the African Union?
The ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ event represents a critical convergence of continental trade ambitions and national industrial capacity at a pivotal moment in global economic realignment. As multilateral trade frameworks face increasing fragmentation and regional blocs strengthen, Africa’s response through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) signals our determination to chart an independent economic trajectory.
Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, occupies a unique position in this continental project. The ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ initiative directly advances the AU’s Agenda 2063 objectives by showcasing indigenous manufacturing capacity, promoting value addition within the continent, and demonstrating that intra-African trade can be anchored in substantive productive capabilities rather than merely raw material exchange.
This event specifically addresses a fundamental challenge in African integration: the current reality that intra-African trade represents only approximately 15-18% of the continent’s total trade, significantly lower than other regions. By highlighting Nigerian-manufactured products, from processed foods and pharmaceuticals to technology solutions and creative industries, we are providing tangible evidence that African nations can serve as both producers and consumers within a genuinely integrated market. This isn’t theoretical policy; it’s operational implementation of the AfCFTA’s vision.
Under NIDO-Africa leadership, what are the expectations during this event? Despite the fact that it is focused on intra-Africa, are foreign traders and importers your targets, as a priority of raising the level of economic cooperation with Nigeria?
NIDO-Africa’s leadership brings a distinctive diaspora perspective, we understand both African productive capacity and global market demands, having operated at this intersection throughout our professional lives. Our expectations for this event are strategically layered.
Primarily, we’re facilitating meaningful intra-African commercial connections. This means bringing together procurement officers from African governments, regional distributors, retail chains, and manufacturing firms who can establish long-term supply relationships with Nigerian producers. The goal is to create sustainable trade corridors, not one-off transactions.
However, your question touches on an important strategic dimension: foreign traders and importers are indeed significant targets, though we’d characterize them as complementary rather than competing priorities. Nigeria’s economic growth requires both expanded African market access AND continued global trade partnerships. Foreign importers, particularly from the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, serve multiple strategic purposes:
* They bring capital, technology transfer, and global best practices
* They can establish joint ventures that enhance Nigerian productive capacity
* They provide access to markets beyond Africa’s current absorption capacity
* Their participation validates the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian products
The sophistication of our approach is precisely that we’re not presenting this as an either/or proposition. We’re positioning Nigeria as a continental manufacturing hub that serves African markets while maintaining robust global trade relationships. Foreign traders who engage now gain preferred access to Africa’s 1.3 billion-person market through a Nigerian gateway.
Can you give an assessment and significance of the current level of economic cooperation between Nigeria and, for instance with the United States, China, India and Russia?
Nigeria maintains strategically important but differently configured relationships with each of these global powers, and understanding these dynamics is essential to appreciating where opportunities for deeper cooperation exist:
United States: The relationship centers on energy (Nigeria was historically a significant oil supplier), security cooperation, and development assistance. While trade volumes remain substantial, there’s significant unrealized potential in non-oil sectors, technology, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, and creative industries. The challenge is moving beyond a resource-extraction paradigm toward genuine industrial partnership.
China: China has become Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a major infrastructure financier, particularly in railways, power generation, and telecommunications. However, the relationship faces tensions around trade imbalances, Nigerian imports from China far exceed exports, and concerns about local manufacturing displacement. The opportunity lies in negotiating technology transfer agreements and joint ventures that build Nigerian productive capacity rather than simply facilitating imports.
India: Often underappreciated, India maintains deep pharmaceutical, automotive, and ICT connections with Nigeria. The relationship is characterized by significant Indian investment in Nigerian manufacturing and a substantial expatriate business community. This represents perhaps the most balanced model among Nigeria’s major trading relationships, with genuine two-way flows in goods, services, and human capital.
Russia: Historically limited, this relationship has focused on energy sector cooperation (particularly nuclear power aspirations) and mineral resources. Recent geopolitical shifts have created space for expanded engagement, though infrastructural and financial linkages remain underdeveloped compared to other major powers.
The significance of these relationships is that they collectively demonstrate Nigeria’s multi-alignment strategy in an increasingly multipolar world. However, they also reveal a persistent pattern: Nigeria frequently engages as a commodity supplier and finished goods importer rather than as a manufacturing power. The ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ initiative aims to fundamentally disrupt this pattern.
In your opinion, what are the landmark achievements since the establishment of AGOA and Nigeria?
The African Growth and Opportunity Act, established in 2000, represents America’s most sustained trade initiative toward Sub-Saharan Africa, offering duty-free access to US markets for thousands of product categories. For Nigeria specifically, AGOA’s achievements are mixed—revealing both opportunities captured and potential unrealized.
Landmark achievements include:
*Energy sector exports: AGOA facilitated billions of dollars in petroleum exports to the US, though this sector would likely have developed independently given global oil demand
*Agricultural product access: Nigerian cocoa, cashew nuts, and sesame seeds have gained improved US market access, supporting smallholder farmers
*Textile and apparel potential: Though underutilized compared to East African nations, AGOA’s textile provisions have supported nascent garment manufacturing
However, the more significant story is unrealized potential:
Nigeria has chronically underutilized AGOA compared to countries like Kenya, South Africa, or Lesotho. Our non-oil exports under AGOA remain modest, representing a fraction of what our productive capacity could achieve. This underperformance stems from:
*Inadequate awareness among Nigerian manufacturers
*Compliance and certification challenges
*Infrastructure bottlenecks affecting export logistics
*Limited value-addition in sectors where we have raw material advantages
The landmark lesson from AGOA isn’t just about what’s been achieved—it’s about what becomes possible when market access meets productive capacity. Countries that invested in export-ready manufacturing infrastructure captured transformative benefits. Nigeria’s current focus on industrial policy and manufactured exports, exemplified by initiatives like ‘Made-in-Nigeria,’ positions us to finally realize AGOA’s full potential before its current extension expires in 2025 and as discussions for its successor framework develop.
China is an active player now offering tariffs-free for Africa. Do you think that can play a noticeable role in providing long-term bilateral trade solution and, most probably, support the proposed ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ program being pursued by NIDO-Africa?
China’s announcement of tariff-free access for African least-developed countries, and its broader “Global South” economic engagement, represents both significant opportunity and strategic challenge for Nigeria and the ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ agenda.
The opportunity dimension:
China’s tariff elimination could theoretically provide Nigerian manufacturers with preferential access to the world’s second-largest consumer market, potentially transformative for sectors like processed agricultural goods, light manufacturing, and resource-based products. For manufacturers building capacity under the ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ program, this represents a massive potential market beyond Africa’s current absorption capacity.
Additionally, China’s established infrastructure investments in Nigeria, from railways to manufacturing zones—create potential synergies. If Nigerian producers can leverage these facilities to achieve economies of scale for Chinese market export, we could see genuine industrial deepening.
The challenge dimension requires candor:
Nigeria must be strategic rather than simply enthusiastic. China’s tariff-free offer, while generous in headline terms, operates within a complex reality:
*China’s manufacturing efficiency means the competitive pressure on emerging Nigerian industries could be overwhelming
*Historical trade patterns show massive imbalances, Nigeria imports far more from China than it exports
*Without deliberate industrial policy safeguards, preferential access could accelerate deindustrialization rather than support manufacturing growth
The strategic approach for ‘Made-in-Nigeria’:
Rather than viewing Chinese engagement passively, NIDO-Africa and Nigerian policymakers should pursue aggressive negotiation for:
*Technology transfer requirements linked to market access
*Joint venture mandates ensuring Nigerian ownership stakes and skills development
*Local content requirements that build indigenous supply chains
*Sector-specific protection for infant industries while exporting in areas of established competitiveness
The long-term bilateral solution isn’t simply about accessing Chinese markets—it’s about ensuring Chinese engagement actively builds Nigerian productive capacity. If ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ products achieve quality certification for Chinese markets while we simultaneously protect space for domestic industries to mature, then yes, this could be transformative. Without such strategic conditionality, tariff-free access might simply formalize dependency.
What opportunities and incentives are currently available, especially for potential importers of goods and entrepreneurial services from Nigeria?
This is where the ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ event becomes practically valuable for business decision-makers. Nigeria currently offers a compelling value proposition for importers and trading partners, though these opportunities remain underappreciated in global markets:
Immediate Commercial Opportunities:
*Processed agricultural products: Nigeria is a global leader in cocoa, cassava, sesame, and ginger production. Value-added products (cocoa powder, cassava flour, processed spices) offer quality at competitive prices with growing international certification
*Pharmaceutical and healthcare products: Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers increasingly meet international quality standards (WHO-GMP certification) and offer significant cost advantages for both African and global markets
*Creative and digital services: Nollywood productions, music, software development, and creative services represent high-growth export sectors
*Solid minerals: Beyond oil, Nigeria has underexplored reserves of tin, columbite, gold, and lithium, critical for technology and energy transition sectors
*Engineering and construction services: Nigerian firms have growing capacity for infrastructure delivery across Africa
*Incentives and Facilitation Mechanisms:
Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) support: *Export grant facilities, market information, and trade mission sponsorship
*Export Processing Zones: Tax incentives, duty-free importing of inputs, and streamlined customs procedures for export-oriented manufacturers
*AfCFTA rules of origin benefits: Products manufactured in Nigeria qualify for preferential access across African markets
*Diaspora investment facilitation: NIDO networks provide cultural bridge and due diligence support for foreign partners
*Naira depreciation dynamics: Currency adjustments have made Nigerian exports significantly more price-competitive internationally
What makes this moment distinctive:
Nigeria is simultaneously investing in power sector reform, transportation infrastructure, and digital connectivity, addressing historical bottlenecks that previously constrained export reliability. Early entrants who establish supply relationships now will benefit from improving operational environment while competing players face higher entry barriers later.
For entrepreneurial service importers specifically, consultancies, technology firms, financial services, Nigeria’s 200+ million population, growing middle class, and youthful demographic create one of Africa’s most dynamic service markets. Foreign firms entering now via the ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ network gain first-mover advantages and local partnerships that determine long-term market position.
Would you, finally, agree that foreign players are generally competing and rivalry-ing for existing investment opportunities based on the fact that Nigeria maintains a conducive business environment, and has political stability?
This question requires a nuanced, honest response that serves your audience better than diplomatic oversimplification.
The competition for Nigerian opportunities is real and intensifying—but the drivers are complex:
*Foreign players, from American tech firms to Chinese manufacturers to Indian pharmaceutical companies, are indeed actively competing for Nigerian market position. However, this competition is driven less by current “conducive business environment” claims and more by:
*Market size and demographic trajectory: Nigeria will be the world’s third-most populous nation by 2050. No serious global business strategy can ignore this market scale
*Resource endowment: Beyond oil, Nigeria’s agricultural potential, solid minerals, and renewable energy capacity remain substantially underdeveloped
*Regional gateway positioning: Nigeria’s influence across West Africa and its role in AfCFTA make it a continental strategic anchor
*Competitive positioning relative to rivals: Companies enter Nigeria not because conditions are optimal, but because competitors are entering—creating a self-reinforcing dynamic
Now, the necessary candor about “conducive business environment” and “political stability”. Nigeria faces well-documented challenges that honest assessment requires acknowledging:
*Infrastructure deficits (power, transportation, ports) that increase operational costs
*Security concerns in certain regions affecting supply chain reliability
*Regulatory complexity and inconsistency across different government levels
*Foreign exchange management issues that complicate repatriation
*Periodic political transitions that create policy uncertainty
However, and this is strategically crucial, successful businesses understand that emerging markets offer risk-return trade-offs:
The same factors that create operational challenges also create barriers that protect market share once established. Companies that enter Nigeria now, master its complexities, and build local partnerships (precisely what ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ facilitates) gain sustainable competitive advantages that later entrants cannot easily replicate.
The more accurate framing:
*Foreign players compete for Nigerian opportunities not because the business environment is perfect, but because:
*Nigeria’s economic fundamentals (population, resources, market size) are transformational
*The government is actively pursuing reforms (power sector, infrastructure, ease-of-business)
*Current challenges create discounted entry valuations for capable operators
*The alternative, waiting for “perfect conditions”, means ceding market position to competitors
NIDO-Africa’s role in this context:
We help bridge the gap between Nigeria’s potential and its current operational reality. The ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ event specifically reduces information asymmetry, facilitates credible partnerships, and helps foreign players navigate complexity. We’re not claiming Nigeria has achieved ideal conditions, we’re demonstrating that substantial opportunities exist for strategically sophisticated players, and we’re providing the networks and knowledge to capture those opportunities effectively.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Union have renewed their push for visa-free travel to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation.
The call was reinforced at a High-Level Symposium on Advancing a Visa-Free Africa for Economic Prosperity, where African policymakers, business leaders, and development institutions examined the need for visa-free travel across the continent.
The consensus described the free movement of people as essential to unlocking Africa’s economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The symposium was co-convened by AfDB and the African Union Commission on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.
The participants framed mobility as the missing link in Africa’s integration agenda, arguing that while tariffs are falling under AfCFTA, restrictive visa regimes continue to limit trade in services, investment flows, tourism, and labour mobility.
On his part, Mr Alex Mubiru, Director General for Eastern Africa at the African Development Bank Group, said that visa-free travel, interoperable digital systems, and integrated markets are practical enablers of enterprise, innovation, and regional value chains to translate policy ambitions into economic activity.
“The evidence is clear. The economics support openness. The human story demands it,” he told participants, urging countries to move from incremental reforms to “transformative change.”
Ms Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, called for faster implementation of existing continental frameworks.
She described visa openness as a strategic lever for deepening regional markets and enhancing collective responses to economic and humanitarian crises.
Former AU Commission Chairperson, Ms Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, reiterated that free movement is central to the African Union’s long-term development blueprint, Agenda 2063.
“If we accept that we are Africans, then we must be able to move freely across our continent,” she said, urging member states to operationalise initiatives such as the African Passport and the Free Movement of Persons Protocol.
Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, shared her country’s experience as an early adopter of open visa policies for African travellers, citing increased business travel, tourism, and investor interest as early dividends of greater openness.
The symposium also reviewed findings from the latest Africa Visa Openness Index, which shows that more than half of intra-African travel still requires visas before departure – seen by participants as a significant drag on intra-continental commerce.
Mr Mesfin Bekele, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, called for full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), saying aviation connectivity and visa liberalisation must advance together to enable seamless travel.
Regional representatives, including Mr Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community, emphasised the importance of building trust through border management and digital information-sharing systems.
Ms Gabby Otchere Darko, Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, urged governments to support the “Make Africa Borderless Now” campaign, while tourism campaigner Ras Mubarak called for more ratifications of the AU Free Movement of Persons protocol.
Participants concluded that achieving a visa-free Africa will require aligning migration policies, digital identity systems, and border infrastructure, alongside sustained political commitment.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
In this interview, Uche Uzoigwe, Secretary-General of NIDOA-Brazil, discusses the economic potential in South America, particularly Brazil, and investment incentives for Brazilian corporate partners for the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN). Follow the discussion here:
How would you assess the economic potential in the South American region, particularly Brazil, for the Federal Republic of Nigeria? What investment incentives does Nigeria have for potential corporate partners from Brazil?
As the Secretary of NIDOA Brazil, my response to the questions regarding the economic potentials in South America, particularly Brazil, and investment incentives for Brazilian corporate partners would be as follows:
Brazil, as the largest economy in South America, presents significant opportunities for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The country’s diverse economy is characterised by key sectors such as agriculture, mining, energy, and technology. Here are some factors to consider:
- Natural Resources: Brazil is rich in natural resources like iron ore, soybeans, and biofuels, which can be beneficial to Nigeria in terms of trade and resource exchange.
- Growing Agricultural Sector: With a well-established agricultural sector, Brazil offers potential collaboration in agri-tech and food security initiatives, which align with Nigeria’s goals for agricultural development.
- Market Size: Brazil boasts a large consumer market with a growing middle class. This represents opportunities for Nigerian businesses looking to export goods and services to new markets.
- Investment in Infrastructure: Brazil has made significant investments in infrastructure, which could create opportunities for Nigerian firms in construction, engineering, and technology sectors.
- Cultural and Economic Ties: There are historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil, especially considering the African diaspora in Brazil. This can facilitate easier business partnerships and collaborations.
In terms of investment incentives for potential corporate partners from Brazil, Nigeria offers several attractive incentives for Brazilian corporate partners, including:
- Tax Incentives: Various tax holidays and concessions are available under the Nigerian government’s investment promotion laws, particularly in key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.
- Repatriation of Profits: Brazil-based companies investing in Nigeria can repatriate profits without restrictions, thus enhancing their financial viability.
- Access to the African Market: Investment in Nigeria allows Brazilian companies to access the broader African market, benefiting from Nigeria’s membership in regional trade agreements such as ECOWAS.
- Free Trade Zones: Nigeria has established free trade zones that offer companies the chance to operate with reduced tariffs and fewer regulatory burdens.
- Support for Innovation: The Nigerian government encourages innovation and technology transfer, making it attractive for Brazilian firms in the tech sector to collaborate, particularly in fintech and agriculture technology.
- Collaborative Ventures: Opportunities exist for joint ventures with local firms, leveraging local knowledge and networks to navigate the business landscape effectively.
In conclusion, fostering a collaborative relationship between Nigeria and Brazil can unlock numerous economic opportunities, leading to mutual growth and development in various sectors. We welcome potential Brazilian investors to explore these opportunities and contribute to our shared economic goals.
In terms of this economic cooperation and trade, what would you say are the current practical achievements, with supporting strategies and systemic engagement from NIDOA?
As the Secretary of NIDOA Brazil, I would highlight the current practical achievements in economic cooperation and trade between Nigeria and Brazil, alongside the supporting strategies and systemic engagement from NIDOA.
Here are some key points:
Current Practical Achievements
- Increased Bilateral Trade: There has been a notable increase in bilateral trade volume between Nigeria and Brazil, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, textiles, and technology. Recent trade agreements and discussions have facilitated smoother trade relations.
- Joint Ventures and Partnerships: Successful joint ventures have been established between Brazilian and Nigerian companies, particularly in agriculture (e.g., collaboration in soybean production and agricultural technology) and energy (renewables, oil, and gas), demonstrating commitment to mutual development.
- Investment in Infrastructure Development: Brazilian construction firms have been involved in key infrastructure projects in Nigeria, contributing to building roads, bridges, and facilities that enhance connectivity and economic activity.
- Cultural and Educational Exchange Programs: Programs facilitating educational exchange and cultural cooperation have led to strengthened ties. Brazilian universities have partnered with Nigerian institutions to promote knowledge transfer in various fields, including science, technology, and arts.
Supporting Strategies
- Strategic Trade Dialogue: NIDOA has initiated regular dialogues between trade ministries of both nations to discuss trade barriers, potential markets, and cooperative opportunities, ensuring both countries are aligned in their economic goals.
- Investment Promotion Initiatives: Targeted initiatives have been established to promote Brazil as an investment destination for Nigerian businesses and vice versa. This includes showcasing success stories at international trade fairs and business forums.
- Capacity Building and Technical Assistance: NIDOA has offered capacity-building programs focused on enhancing Nigeria’s capabilities in agriculture and technology, leveraging Brazil’s expertise and sustainable practices.
- Policy Advocacy: Continuous advocacy for favourable trade policies has been a key focus for NIDOA, working to reduce tariffs and promote economic reforms that facilitate investment and trade flows.
Systemic Engagement
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Engaging the private sector through PPPs has been essential in mobilising resources for development projects. NIDOA has actively facilitated partnerships that leverage both public and private investments.
- Trade Missions and Business Delegations: Organised trade missions to Brazil for Nigerian businesses and vice versa, allowing for direct engagement with potential partners, fostering trust and opening new channels for trade.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: NIDOA implements a rigorous monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact of various initiatives and make necessary adjustments to strategies, ensuring effectiveness in achieving economic cooperation goals.
Through these practical achievements, supporting strategies, and systemic engagement, NIDOA continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing economic cooperation and trade between Nigeria and Brazil. By fostering collaboration and leveraging shared resources, we aim to create a sustainable and mutually beneficial economic environment that promotes growth for both nations.
Do you think the changing geopolitical situation poses a number of challenges to connecting businesses in the region with Nigeria, and how do you overcome them in the activities of NIDOA?
The changing geopolitical situation indeed poses several challenges for connecting businesses in the South American region, particularly Brazil, with Nigeria. These challenges include trade tensions, shifting alliances, currency fluctuations, and varying regulatory environments. Below, I will outline some of the specific challenges and how NIDOA works to overcome them:
Current Challenges
- No Direct Flights: This challenge is obviously explicit. Once direct flights between Brazil and Nigeria become active, and hopefully this year, a much better understanding and engagement will follow suit.
- Trade Restrictions and Tariffs: Increasing trade protectionism in various regions can lead to higher tariffs and trade barriers that hinder the movement of goods between Brazil and Nigeria.
- Currency Volatility: Fluctuations in the value of currencies can complicate trade agreements, pricing strategies, and overall financial planning for businesses operating in both Brazil and Nigeria.
- Different regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements in both countries can create challenges for businesses aiming to navigate these systems efficiently.
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Changes in global supply chains due to geopolitical factors may disrupt established networks, impacting businesses relying on imports and exports between the two nations.
Overcoming Challenges through NIDOA.
NIDOA actively engages in discussions with both the Brazilian and Nigerian governments to advocate for favourable trade policies and agreements that reduce tariffs and improve trade conditions. This year in October, NIDOA BRAZIL holds its TRADE FAIR in São Paulo, Brazil.
What are the popular sentiments among the Nigerians in the South American diaspora? As the Secretary-General of the NIDOA, what are your suggestions relating to assimilation and integration, and of course, future perspectives for the Nigerian diaspora?
As the Secretary-General of NIDOA, I recognise the importance of understanding the sentiments among Nigerians in the South American diaspora, particularly in Brazil.
Many Nigerians in the diaspora take pride in their cultural roots, celebrating their heritage through festivals, music, dance, and culinary traditions. This cultural expression fosters a sense of community and belonging.
While many individuals embrace their new environments, they often face challenges related to cultural differences, language barriers, and social integration, which can lead to feelings of isolation.
Many express optimism about opportunities in education, business, and cultural exchange, viewing their presence in South America as a chance to expand their horizons and contribute to economic activities both locally and back in Nigeria.
Sentiments regarding acceptance vary; while some Nigerians experience warmth and hospitality, others encounter prejudice or discrimination, which can impact their overall experience in the host country. NIDOA BRAZIL has encouraged the formation of community organisations that promote networking, cultural exchange, and social events to foster a sense of belonging and support among Nigerians in the diaspora. There are currently two forums with over a thousand Nigerian members.
Cultural Education and Awareness Programs: NIDOA BRAZIL organises cultural education programs that showcase Nigerian heritage to local communities, promoting mutual understanding and appreciation that can facilitate smoother integration.
Language and Skills Training: NIDOA BRAZIL provides language courses and skills training programs to help Nigerians, especially students in tertiary institutions, adapt to their new environment, enhancing communication and employability within the host country.
Engaging in Entrepreneurship: NIDOA BRAZIL supports the entrepreneurial spirit among Nigerians in the diaspora by facilitating access to resources, mentorship, and networks that can help them start businesses and create economic opportunities.
Through its AMBASSADOR’S CUP COMPETITION, NIDOA Brazil has engaged students of tertiary institutions in Brazil to promote business projects and initiatives that can be implemented in Nigeria.
NIDOA BRAZIL also pushes for increased tourism to Brazil since Brazil is set to become a global tourism leader in 2026, with a projected 10 million international visitors, driven by a post-pandemic rebound, enhanced air connectivity, and targeted marketing strategies.
Brazil’s tourism sector is poised for a remarkable milestone in 2026, as the country expects to welcome over 10 million international visitors—surpassing the previous record of 9.3 million in 2025. This expected surge represents an ambitious leap, nearly doubling the country’s foreign-arrival numbers within just four years, a feat driven by a combination of pent-up global demand, strategic air connectivity improvements, and a highly targeted marketing campaign.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
In this insightful interview, Natali Kalalb, founder of NAtali KAlalb Art Gallery, discusses her practical experiences of handling Africa’s contemporary arts, her professional journey into the creative industry and entrepreneurship, and also strategies of building cultural partnership as a foundation for Russian-African bilateral relations. Here are the interview excerpts:
Given your experience working with Africa, particularly in promoting contemporary art, how would you assess its impact on Russian-African relations?
Interestingly, my professional journey in Africa began with the work “Afroprima.” It depicted a dark-skinned ballerina, combining African dance and the Russian academic ballet tradition. This painting became a symbol of cultural synthesis—not opposition, but dialogue.
Contemporary African art is rapidly strengthening its place in the world. By 2017, the market was growing so rapidly that Sotheby launched its first separate African auction, bringing together 100 lots from 60 artists from 14 foreign countries, including Algeria, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and others. That same year during the Autumn season, Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris hosted a major exhibition dedicated to African art. According to Artnet, sales of contemporary African artists reached $40 million by 2021, a 434% increase in just two years. Today, Sotheby holds African auctions twice a year, and in October 2023, they raised $2.8 million.
In Russia, this process manifests itself through cultural dialogue: exhibitions, studios, and educational initiatives create a space of trust and mutual respect, shaping the understanding of contemporary African art at the local level.
Do you think geopolitical changes are affecting your professional work? What prompted you to create an African art studio?
The international context certainly influences cultural processes. However, my decision to work with African themes was not situational. I was drawn to the expressiveness of African visual language—colour, rhythm, and plastic energy. This theme is practically not represented systematically and professionally in the Russian art scene.
The creation of the studio was a step toward establishing a sustainable platform for cultural exchange and artistic dialogue, where the works of African artists are perceived as a full-fledged part of the global cultural process, rather than an exotic one.
To what extent does African art influence Russian perceptions?
Contemporary African art is gradually changing the perception of the continent. While previously viewed superficially or stereotypically, today viewers are confronted with the depth of artistic expression and the intellectual and aesthetic level of contemporary artists.
Portraits are particularly impactful: they allow us to see not just an abstract image of a “continent,” but a concrete personality, character, and inner dignity. Global market growth data and regular auctions create additional trust in African contemporary art and contribute to its perception as a mature and valuable movement.
Does African art reflect lifestyle and fashion? How does it differ from Russian art?
African art, in my opinion, is at its peak in everyday culture—textiles, ornamentation, bodily movement, rhythm. It interacts organically with fashion, music, interior design, and the urban environment. The Russian artistic tradition is historically more academic and philosophical. African visual art is distinguished by greater colour expression and dynamic form. Nevertheless, both cultures are united by a profound symbolic and spiritual component.
What feedback do you receive on social media?
Audience reactions are generally constructive and engaging. Viewers ask questions about cultural codes, symbolism, and the choice of subjects. The digital environment allows for a diversity of opinions, but a conscious interest and a willingness to engage in cultural dialogue are emerging.
What are the key challenges and achievements of recent years?
Key challenges:
- Limited expert base on African contemporary art in Russia;
- Need for systematic educational outreach;
- Overcoming the perception of African art as exclusively decorative or ethnic.
Key achievements:
- Building a sustainable audience;
- Implementing exhibition and studio projects;
- Strengthening professional cultural interaction and trust in African
contemporary art as a serious artistic movement.
What are your future prospects in the context of cultural diplomacy?
Looking forward, I see the development of joint exhibitions, educational programs, and creative residencies. Cultural diplomacy is a long-term process based on respect and professionalism. If an artistic image is capable of uniting different cultural traditions in a single visual space, it becomes a tool for mutual understanding.
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