Highlights: Trade policy, AfCFTA and the C-suite growth agenda
Event overview
Opening the event with a welcome address, Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos, reaffirmed the French government’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Nigeria and supporting an environment conducive to sustainable investment and bilateral cooperation.
Uhabia Ojike, Country Leader of Forvis Mazars in Nigeria, also reinforced the importance of bilateral trade and the role finance leaders play in helping organisations navigate the regulatory, fiscal and market shifts shaping cross-border growth.
The highlight of the event was the keynote address from John Ugochukwu Uwajumogu, Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, where he shared perspectives on Nigeria’s trade policy direction, the implementation priorities under AfCFTA, and the implications for C-suite leaders navigating a more complex continental market.
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Speacial thanks to our panellists: Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, Founder and CEO of Nairametrics; Olawale Rotimi Opeyemi, Founder and CEO of JR Farms Group; Adams Osamudiame, Partner at Forvis Mazars; and Peter Nwofia, Tax Partner at Forvis Mazars in Nigeria, whose perspectives brought depth and practical relevance to the discussion. Together, they explored the intersection of trade policy, AfCFTA and the strategic priorities shaping the C-suite growth agenda in a rapidly evolving economic environment.
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Key takeaways
- AfCFTA as a growth platform: The discussion reinforced AfCFTA’s potential to support regional trade, investment and cross-border expansion.
- Policy and regulation matter: Valuable perspectives were shared on the regulatory frameworks supporting business participation under AfCFTA, and what this means for organisations operating across increasingly interconnected markets.
- Leadership priorities are shifting: The conversation highlighted the importance of agility, resilience and informed decision-making as C-suite leaders respond to changing trade dynamics, supply chain pressures and regional growth opportunities.
We thank all our speakers and guests for contributing to a timely and insightful discussion on the priorities shaping the next phase of growth across the region.