By Marvelous Omoboriowo, Abeokuta
Former President and Co-Patron of the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC-Nigeria Business Council, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the Council, assuring that both countries can strengthen the continent economically in no distance future.
This was contained in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi after the Council meeting held at Fleuve Hotel Kinshasa on Friday.
At the well-attended business session, prospective investors settled for involvement in energy, transportation (haulage, coastal shipping), agriculture (livestock, poultry), telecommunications (ICT) and finance.
Obasanjo said that there were men and women from both countries who are eager to deliver the task of lifting Africa trade up, stressing, "and I can say that you can count on me to achieve our goal. No red tape- nothing to hold us back," he said.
The former President disclosed that it was part of the commitment that had seen the formal registration of the Council done, boasting that, "there are opportunities for both countries if we can get together, work together and can lift other countries in Africa."
The Anambra State governor and Deputy President of the Council Prof. Charles Soludo reiterated the need "to get into action driven by purpose".
He proposed a new African Nationalism and the emergence of a New African Capital that must lead the way for the development and transformation of Africa.
On the status of conducting business in the DRC, Eric Monga highlighted the ongoing efforts of linking the producers to the consumers in the DRC.
According to him, "investors are conducting business in the areas of Mining, Energy, Subcontracting, private sector relations, and still following through with many other sectors. However, there are still business gaps in the DRC to be explored as they offer great opportunities.
"These include Infrastructure for ease of business (such as road networks, coastal infrastructure), Energy, and Agriculture," he concluded with a direct request to counterparts from Nigeria to synergize with those in the DRC.
On the Current Business Investment and Economic Opportunities in Nigeria, Segun Awolowo of the African Continental Free Trade Area hinted that the ease of doing business has improved in Nigeria in recent times.
He said that "Nigeria is justified as an ingenious economy because of the scale of opportunity, talent, ambition, widespread network of Nigerian-led businesses and initiatives that it offers."
Awolowo cited examples of emerging Nigerian-led startups and old businesses that are prospering in the country and across the continent concluding that, opportunities exist for mergers and expansions between DRC and Nigeria investors."
The President of the Council and former Director General of the Institute of International Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Nteranya Sanginga briefed Council members on situation report and get them acquainted with the previous activities of the DRC-Nigeria business Council.
Also, Amb Leke Adebiyi, the deputy Secretary of the Council introduced the Stakeholders from Nigeria and further informed that the Council has been duly registered in Nigeria "and hopefully, it will be registered as soon as possible in DRC, while location of the office in Lagos, Nigeria would be announced very soon," Adebiyi said.
Earlier at a dinner hosted by President of the DRC, the President, Felix Tshisekedi said the youth of the country were the primary target for the reason behind bringing together investors from the two countries, as they have control of the country's economy.
Among those present at the Council meeting from Nigeria were Mr. Jimi Lawal, Mr. Debo Akande, Mr. Wale Adeosun, Mr. Segun Jaji, Chief Shina Luwoye, Steven T. Martin, Mr. Eyo Ekpo, Femi Atiba, and Kola Adeniji .
Others are Madam Omowunmi Adebayo, Bankole Oladokun, Mr. Thomas Chankukal, Bolaji Lawal and Fadel Diedhiou.
The next meeting was fixed for October 2023 in Lagos.
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