The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs), disclosing that in the past 20 years, the Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) has facilitated billions of naira in trade deals, investments, partnerships, and market opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
Speaking at the opening of the 20th edition of the fair with the theme "Sustainability, Consumption, Incentives and Taxation", ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, said the fair has evolved into Nigeria's most influential multi-sectoral trade platform and one of Africa's most recognised trade events.
He noted that over the last two decades, the fair has hosted more than 2,500 exhibitors from across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, attracting 1.5 million visitors. "It has given SMEs visibility, connected them to new markets, and strengthened collaborations with over 40 diplomatic missions, trade agencies, and international business associations," Obegolu said.
He stressed that this year's theme reflects Nigeria's need to align consumption, incentives, and taxation with sustainability and innovation, ensuring growth that benefits SMEs and supports responsible production.
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Also speaking, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Jamil Ibrahim, praised ACCI for sustaining the platform, describing it as vital for positioning Nigerian SMEs within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He noted that reforms such as the Business Facilitation Act (BFA 2023) are important for SMEs, but deeper reforms under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement are required to boost Nigeria's competitiveness, improve its ranking in cross-border trade, and unlock opportunities in Africa's 1.4 billion-person market.
Stakeholders agreed that with continued focus on SMEs, the Abuja International Trade Fair will remain a catalyst for inclusive growth, innovation, and Nigeria's integration into the global economy.
