ACCI Hosts Lesotho PM to Boost Trade, Investment

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) on Wednesday hosted the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, The Right Honourable Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, during a high-level Nigeria–Lesotho Business-to-Business (B2B) Meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and private sector collaboration between the two African countries.

The Prime Minister led a high-powered delegation from Lesotho and was received on behalf of the President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, by the Chamber’s 2nd Deputy President, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong. The meeting brought together business leaders from both nations to explore investment opportunities, deepen commercial partnerships, and identify practical areas of cooperation across agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, infrastructure, hospitality, tourism, information technology, and other emerging sectors.
In his welcome address, Dr. Hong described the engagement as a major milestone in advancing economic diplomacy and strengthening commercial relations between Nigeria and Lesotho. He said the meeting reflected the shared commitment of both countries to expanding intra-African trade, attracting investments, and promoting sustainable prosperity through stronger private sector collaboration.
He reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to promoting trade, commerce, investment, enterprise development, and policy advocacy while facilitating strategic partnerships that drive economic growth across Africa. Dr. Hong also highlighted the Chamber’s strategic centres—the Abuja Trade Centre, the Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC), and the Dispute Resolution Centre (DRC)—which provide businesses with investment promotion, capacity building, policy advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution services.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane said his visit to Abuja was intended to showcase the vast investment opportunities available in Lesotho and connect businesses in his country with Nigerian investors and entrepreneurs. He stressed that Lesotho is ready to build lasting partnerships with Nigerian businesses and remains open to investment and collaboration with partners committed to economic transformation.
“Our mission is to build meaningful business relationships that will transform partnerships into investments and investments into prosperity for our people,” the Prime Minister said, urging the Nigerian business community to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available in Lesotho. He also commended Nigeria’s vibrant private sector and expressed confidence that stronger business collaboration between both countries would create new opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development.
Also speaking, the Director General of ACCI, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, welcomed the Lesotho delegation and described the Chamber as the ideal platform for promoting business cooperation, trade facilitation, collaboration, and mutual market access. He called for sustained engagement and stronger partnerships that would translate dialogue into concrete investments.
The Minister of Industry and Business Development of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Hon. Motlatsi Mwalepo, emphasised the importance of purposeful engagement between governments and the private sector, noting that meaningful business interactions are vital to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.
Similarly, the Chairman and Publisher of the African Leadership Organisation (ALO), Dr. Ola Giami, encouraged African business leaders to take a more active role in influencing government policies that support economic growth and regional integration. He described ACCI as a credible platform for business networking, investor engagement, and facilitating genuine investment opportunities.
Participants from both countries expressed optimism that the Nigeria–Lesotho Business-to-Business Meeting would promote increased trade, stronger investment flows, joint ventures, technology transfer, and sustainable economic cooperation under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The meeting ended with business networking sessions aimed at fostering strategic partnerships and building lasting commercial relationships between Nigerian and Lesotho enterprises.