In a significant move to enhance economic cooperation between Nigeria and Mexico, the Mexican Embassy in Nigeria on Tuesday officially launched the Nigeria-Mexico Chamber of Commerce (NMCC) and inaugurated its new Board of Directors at a high-profile event in Abuja.
Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfredo Miranda, described the establishment of the chamber as a transformative step in strengthening economic, cultural, and strategic relations between the two countries. He said the NMCC would serve as a vital bridge connecting businesses, innovations, and opportunities across both nations.
“This marks a new chapter in the relationship between Nigeria and Mexico,” Miranda said. “We are creating a platform that will serve as a catalyst for trade, investment, market intelligence, and mutual understanding. Both countries are rich in heritage and bold in ambition this partnership can drive meaningful progress.”
Miranda emphasized the chamber’s role in positioning Nigeria and Mexico as influential players in their respective regions, pointing to their potential to significantly shape trade narratives across Africa and Latin America.
Representing Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, at the event, Anderson Madubuike, Director of the Economic, Trade and Investment Department, echoed the ambassador’s sentiments. He noted that the NMCC comes at a crucial time and could help unlock untapped economic potential between the two countries.
“There’s a lot Nigeria and Mexico can do together in driving global economic advancement,” Tuggar said. “This chamber’s launch is timely, and it supports Africa’s broader vision of claiming its rightful place in the global economy.”
Also speaking, Minister of Livestock and Rural Development, Idi Mukhtar, highlighted agriculture as a key area of focus for bilateral collaboration. He noted Nigeria’s significant importation of dairy products estimated at $1.5 billion annually and called for joint investments in red meat production, animal health systems, and dairy processing.
“The opportunities are vast,” Mukhtar said. “With the right partnerships, including through the NMCC, we can create competitive agricultural value chains that benefit both economies.”
In her remarks, newly appointed NMCC President, Arim Pete, said the chamber would be driven by trust, innovation, and shared prosperity. She emphasized Mexico’s status as the 12th-largest economy in the world, with a GDP of $1.8 trillion, and described the bilateral relationship as one built on complementary strengths.
“Trade rules have evolved, and it’s time we evolve with them,” Pete said. “Nigeria and Mexico have synergies we must now fully explore. NMCC is here to facilitate that journey.”
The event drew participation from leading figures in Nigeria’s business and diplomatic community, including the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Oye, along with representatives from trade chambers, embassies, and the private sector.
Though originally established in 2014, the NMCC is now repositioned to play a more active role in shaping bilateral trade policy, supporting businesses with regulatory navigation, and fostering cross-border partnerships that generate jobs, knowledge transfer, and innovation.
