ABUJA — In a landmark step towards deepening economic ties, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United States of America have officially launched the Commercial Investment Partnership (CIP), aimed at unlocking new avenues for trade, investment, and private-sector collaboration between both nations.
The initiative was formally unveiled on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, during a high-level bilateral meeting held in Abuja between representatives of the Nigerian government and a delegation from the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
The Commercial Investment Partnership (CIP) is expected to focus on strategic sectors including energy, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, and financial services — with a vision to enhance mutual prosperity and support job creation in both countries.
Speaking at the launch, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, said the partnership represents a “new chapter” in Nigeria’s global economic engagement.
“This initiative will not only attract U.S. capital and technical expertise into Nigeria’s priority sectors but also give Nigerian enterprises access to American markets, supply chains, and innovation,” she stated.
The U.S. delegation, led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ms. Camille Richardson, expressed Washington’s commitment to expanding commercial cooperation with Nigeria, citing the country’s strategic position as Africa’s largest economy and a key partner in regional stability.
“This partnership is about building bridges — for businesses, investors, and communities on both sides. We are proud to stand with Nigeria in driving forward a shared vision for inclusive, sustainable economic growth,” Richardson said.
Officials say the CIP will provide a framework for public-private partnerships, technical assistance, financing mechanisms, and investment promotion activities. U.S. development finance institutions such as the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and USAID are also expected to play key roles in project implementation.
The partnership also aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which seeks to improve the ease of doing business, attract foreign direct investment, and reduce dependency on oil revenues.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, calling it a timely opportunity to revamp investor confidence and expand access to global markets for Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Both governments agreed to establish a joint implementation task force that will track progress, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure transparency in the execution of partnership projects.
