…New platform launched to strengthen trade and investment ties
Nigeria and the Czech Republic have taken steps to deepen economic relations with the launch of a new trade and investment platform designed to broaden commercial engagement and create opportunities for business collaboration. The initiative was announced at an event in Abuja where officials from both countries outlined plans to use the platform as a framework for closer economic cooperation.
The new platform is intended to bring together key stakeholders from both nations, including government officials, industry leaders, investors and business associations. It is expected to act as a bridge between Nigerian and Czech enterprises, enabling shared access to markets, technology, skills and investment opportunities. The move follows years of diplomatic engagement aimed at enhancing bilateral economic cooperation.
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Event highlights and statements from leadership
At the ceremony, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nigeria, Tomáš Výprachtický, stressed his country’s determination to build stronger economic links by focusing on practical platforms for dialogue and partnership. He said that Czech companies, corporations and institutions have been active in Nigeria for several years and that the new platform will formalise and expand those engagements. “Our companies, corporations and institutions have been coming here for quite some time,” he said, highlighting the long‑standing relationship between the two countries.
The event was organised by the newly registered Nigeria‑Central Europe Chamber of Commerce (NCECC), in partnership with the Regional Trade Institute (RTI) and the Czech Embassy in Nigeria. The president of the chamber, Dr Paschal Onyemaechi, explained that the organisation will promote market information, facilitate educational mobility and support technology transfer between Europe and Africa. He said that NCECC will work to help businesses identify opportunities and navigate new markets across both regions.
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Focus on trade, technology and partnerships
Participants said the platform is expected to deliver practical benefits such as improved access to market data, investment opportunities and business support services. The initiative aims to strengthen trade flows and encourage joint ventures that can generate jobs and boost economic growth in both countries. It also seeks to support small and medium enterprises by connecting them with investors and partners who can provide capital, technical expertise and international market insights.
Officials said the platform will play a role in expanding opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, agriculture and services. They added that deeper cooperation could help diversify both economies and build resilience against global economic pressures. The event also featured the induction of honorary council members into the chamber, including industry experts and business leaders tasked with guiding the organisation’s strategic direction.
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Implications for Nigeria’s economic future
Analysts said that the expanded engagement with the Czech Republic could signal a broader shift toward diverse international partnerships that support trade, investment and industrial growth. They noted that formal structures for cooperation, such as the new platform, can help reduce barriers to entry for businesses and foster a more transparent investment climate.
Business leaders welcomed the initiative as an opportunity to explore untapped areas of collaboration and leverage shared interests for commercial growth. They said that, for many Nigerian firms, access to European networks and resources could open new export channels and facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies that enhance competitiveness on the global stage.
Though challenges remain, including infrastructure and regulatory consistency, the launch of the platform underscores a mutual interest in expanding economic ties and building partnerships that could create jobs and strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and the Czech Republic.
