Lagos: A delegation of around 40 Saudi Arabian companies kicked off Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings with Nigerian companies on Tuesday in Lagos, aiming to build partnerships and strengthen trade between the two countries. The event was organised by the Saudi Export Department, the Saudi trade mission to Nigeria, and it brought together businesses from various sectors including construction, food and beverages, chemicals, consumer goods, furniture, and packaging.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, representatives of the visiting companies highlighted Nigeria’s large population of about 230 million people as a major factor in their interest in expanding into the Nigerian market. Mohammed Rafi, Export Manager at Saudi Leather Industries Factory Companies Ltd., expressed the company’s goal in Nigeria to form strategic partnerships and boost exports, particularly targeting the oil and gas and construction sectors. Rafi emphasized the quality and value of their products and noted Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in Nigeria as a key economic partner in Africa.
Imran Memon, Sales Manager at ESNAD Company Ltd., a Saudi manufacturer of food and flavour additives, also expressed strong interest in the Nigerian market. He outlined plans to establish an initial presence in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, before expanding to other cities. Memon’s main goal is to introduce the company’s spice products to Nigerian consumers, aiming to grow the brand. He expressed gratitude to the Saudi Export Department for facilitating the trade mission.
Khalid Saadeddin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SAADEDDIN, a Saudi company involved in food and real estate, also saw great potential in Nigeria’s food market. He described Lagos as a vital African market, along with cities like Cape Town, citing Nigeria’s large population and diverse food preferences. Saadeddin acknowledged the importance of Nigerian Muslims’ annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and expressed interest in sourcing cocoa powder and possibly chocolate from Nigeria due to their involvement in chocolate production.
Meanwhile, Shadi Alziq, Sales Manager at Middle East-based Plastic Industries, which specialises in store solutions and packaging products, expressed eagerness to explore Nigeria’s growing market. This being the company’s first entry into Nigeria, Alziq noted that the organisation was drawn to Lagos by a Saudi Export event and research identifying Lagos as Nigeria’s fastest-growing economy in the past decade. The main goal is to understand the local market and find potential partners for its plastic product line.
NAN reports that the trade mission is expected to pave the way for meaningful partnerships across several key sectors, with the overarching goal of deepening economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.