Kuala Lumpur:The Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has announced its commitment to enhancing trade and economic relations with Nigeria and other African nations through the expanding halal economy.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Reezal Merican, Chairman of MATRADE, shared these insights during an interview at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026. He emphasized Africa’s growing significance as a market for Malaysian businesses, with notable participation from 12 African countries, including newcomers Comoros and Rwanda, at MIHAS.
Merican stated that the halal economy extends beyond religious aspects, encompassing cleanliness, hygiene, authenticity, traceability, and sustainability. He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s potential to become a significant player in the global halal market.
The International Sourcing Programme (INSP) is a key component of MIHAS, designed to connect international buyers with Malaysian exporters through structured business-to-business meetings. This year, the programme hosts around 450 international buyers and 600 Malaysian exporters, scheduling over 4,000 meetings.
The programme’s scope includes sectors like specialised ingredients, biotechnology, Islamic finance, logistics, and education. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being employed to enhance business matchmaking, with multilingual capabilities being considered to improve accessibility for African businesses.
Merican highlighted the potential for greater commercial engagement between Malaysia and African businesses, particularly Nigeria, through increased participation in MIHAS. MATRADE remains committed to fostering connections between Malaysian exporters and international buyers.
Umar Abdul, Marketing Manager of MATRADE in Lagos, mentioned ongoing discussions about potentially establishing a MIHAS franchise in Nigeria, with possible locations including Kano, Abuja, and Lagos. This initiative aims to provide Nigerian businesses with greater access to international markets and business opportunities.
Abdul noted that Nigeria and other African countries have quality products and services needing stronger promotion. A MIHAS platform in Nigeria could help small and medium-sized enterprises gain exposure and establish new connections, potentially boosting trade relations between Nigeria and Malaysia. He identified palm oil, cocoa, soybeans, ginger, and turmeric as commodities with commercial potential.
Since 2004, MIHAS has evolved into a major platform for halal trade, supporting global industry standards, governance, and market access. The upcoming 22nd edition, themed “Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience,” will focus on regulated-by-design governance and technology-enabled trade.