NIPC courts UK investors, pushes Nigeria as reform-driven capital hub

By: Amarachi Okonkwo 

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC),  has said Nigeria is strengthening its position as a reform-driven and competitive destination for global capital, following the hosting of a United Kingdom trade and investment delegation in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commission said the UK–Nigeria Trade and Investment Mission, held from April 20 to 21, 2026, brought together government officials, investors, and private sector stakeholders to accelerate deal-making and deepen bilateral economic ties. The engagement was organised in collaboration with DMA Invest and the UK Department for Business and Trade, with participation from the British High Commission.

According to the NIPC, the mission sent “a clear and confident message” to global investors that Nigeria is open for business and actively implementing reforms aimed at improving the investment climate.

The two-day programme featured ministerial roundtables, sector-focused discussions, and targeted Business-to-Government (B2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings designed to move beyond dialogue and translate engagements into bankable projects.

“The sessions moved beyond conversations to action, with participants identifying concrete, investment-ready opportunities aimed at accelerating capital inflows and strengthening economic cooperation,” the statement said.

The Commission noted that DMA Invest described the outing as its strongest performance yet, attributing this to improving institutional coordination, policy reforms, and efforts to streamline the investor experience in Nigeria.

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Leading the engagements was the NIPC’s Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Aisha Rimi, who emphasised the Commission’s shift toward measurable outcomes.

“This mission is not just about conversations it is about conversion. Our priority is to ensure that strategic engagements lead to real projects and partnerships that create tangible impact on Nigeria’s economy,” Rimi said.

She added that Nigeria must capitalise on the momentum generated by recent bilateral engagements, including the state visit of Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom, by translating diplomatic ties into concrete investments.

The NIPC described the mission as a critical step in advancing Nigeria–UK economic relations, aligning with broader government efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) amid ongoing macroeconomic and structural reforms.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics underscore the importance of the United Kingdom as a key investment partner. The UK accounted for $3.73bn, or 57.94 per cent, of total capital importation into Nigeria in the latest report.

Overall, Nigeria recorded $6.44bn in capital inflows in the fourth quarter of 2025, representing a 26.61 per cent increase from $5.09bn in the corresponding period of 2024, and a 7.13 per cent rise from the preceding quarter an indication of sustained recovery in investor confidence.

As investment momentum builds, the Commission said it remains focused on facilitating deals, unlocking sectoral opportunities, and driving sustainable economic growth through strategic international partnerships.