By Progress Godfrey, Abuja.
Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that engaging the diaspora is an effective way to attract inward investment.
Dabiri-Erewa made the remark on Monday, which began the 3-day Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, NDIS, themed: “New Vistas, New Aspirations,
New Opportunities: The Diaspora and National Development”.
She said this year’s theme became appropriate owing to the need for government to partner with the Diaspora to attract investments that would reposition the economy.
According to her, this year’s summit, which is the 6th edition, aims to showcase and explore business and sponsorship opportunities in all the 36 States of Nigeria for Diaspora investment, as well as create business matchmaking opportunities.
“The overall goal of this Summit is to demonstrate that engaging the Diaspora is a more effective and sustainable strategy for attracting inward investment into the
emerging diversified Nigerian economy, with its objectives being to:
“Establish a platform where Diaspora investors can interact with other
potential sponsors, partners, business promoters and the government, ” said the NiDCOM boss.
She said the Summit since its inception, has been living up to its expectations of attracting Diaspora investment into local businesses in Nigeria.
She added, “With over 5,000 participants recorded, 900 business links established
and over 200 deals closed, NDIS has come into its own as the leading business
networking event for connecting Nigerian business owners and NGO operators
with Nigerian Diaspora-based investors.
“It has also provided a platform for the Diaspora community to give back, by providing support for several deserving
NGOs.”
She however said the Summit would focus on healthcare, education, agribusiness, creative, entertainment and Sports, among other sectors like telecommunication, ICT/Fintech, manufacturing and real Estate. “This hybrid summit will show the investment opportunities available in these sectors and the development framework put in place to make investing in Nigeria more attractive to Nigeria Diaspora investors.”
She further said the NDIS, aside from giving local firms and companies opportunities through participation, has been showcasing their products and services to target audiences such as Diaspora investors, sponsors and government actors.