Lagos Pushes West Africa Trade at BACCIMA Fair
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional commerce and attracting cross-border investment as it took centre stage at the BACCIMA trade fair, using the platform to promote deeper economic integration across West Africa.
Officials from the state government highlighted Lagos’ position as a commercial gateway for Nigeria and the wider sub-region, stressing that the city’s infrastructure, financial ecosystem and growing digital economy make it a strategic hub for investors looking to expand across African markets.
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), alongside business leaders and trade partners, also used the fair to spotlight opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, technology and services, areas seen as key drivers of intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
According to organisers, the event—hosted under the umbrella of the Bornu African Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA)—is designed to connect businesses across regions, encourage partnerships, and open new export pathways for Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Speakers at the fair emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between West African economies, noting that reduced trade barriers, improved transport networks and policy alignment would significantly boost economic growth in the region.
Lagos officials further outlined ongoing efforts to improve ease of doing business in the state, including investment in port efficiency, digital governance systems, and public-private partnership models aimed at accelerating infrastructure development.
Business stakeholders at the event also called for increased access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), arguing that empowering local businesses remains critical to unlocking the full potential of regional trade.
The trade fair continues to serve as a key platform for networking between policymakers, investors and industry leaders, with participants expressing optimism that engagements from the event will translate into tangible deals and long-term economic partnerships across West Africa.
