The European Union (EU) has awarded a €300,000 grant to the European Chamber of Commerce (Eurocham) Nigeria to bolster its advocacy efforts and strengthen EU-Nigeria trade relations. The announcement was made by EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Gautier Mignot, at Eurocham’s 25th Annual Stakeholders Conference in Lagos.
The three-year grant will support Eurocham in strengthening its secretariat, expanding external activities, and enhancing its advocacy work on behalf of its members. Mignot emphasized the EU’s commitment to improving the business environment in Nigeria and promoting trade and investment between Europe and Nigeria. He described the funding as a significant step towards achieving these goals.
“This financial support will allow the Chamber to strengthen its Secretariat’s administrative capacity and expand external activities and advocacy work on behalf of its members,” Mignot stated. The EU aims to reinforce Eurocham’s role in policy dialogue and strategic engagement with local governments, policymakers, and business stakeholders.
The EU views this grant as crucial for creating a more conducive business environment, enabling Eurocham to further promote trade and investment. Mignot highlighted the EU’s position as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a key source of foreign direct investment and development financing.
The grant aligns with the EU’s broader Global Gateway Strategy, a four-year initiative focused on infrastructure improvement in Nigeria and other African nations. Nigeria will be a key beneficiary of this strategy, with investments planned in digital skills, e-governance, and the deployment of 90,000 km of fiber-optic cables.
Mignot also mentioned projects like the Omi Eko water transportation initiative and emphasized investment priorities in agriculture, renewable energy, local vaccine manufacturing, and sustainable transportation. He called on Eurocham to actively identify opportunities and advocate for a favorable business environment within these key sectors.
