CCA President and CEO Meets with Kachikwu, Dangote in Nigeria

CCA President and CEO, Florie Liser is visiting Nigeria today as part of her inaugural West Africa tour. Ms. Liser met with key Nigerian business leaders and high-level government representatives including Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Mr. Aliko Dangote and Mr. Jim Ovia to discuss the U.S.-Nigeria trade and investment relationship specifically and broader U.S.-Africa engagement.Ms. Liser’s first stop was in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos. Her first meeting was with Mr. Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, Nigeria’s biggest bank by tier-1 capital and the sixth largest on the continent. Mr. Ovia also sits on CCA’s Board of Directors. Following Mr. Ovia’s meeting, Ms. Liser met with Mr. Aliko Dangote, Group President and CEO of Dangote Group. Liser and Dangote discussed CCA’supcoming U.S.-Africa Business Summitin June and CCA’s role as a strong voice for the U.S. and African private sector.Today, Ms. Liser is in Abuja, where she met with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Director and CEO, NEPC described CCA as “a great partner to Nigeria and Africa.” NEPC is focused on diversifying the Nigerian economy away from oil and promoting non-oil exports. Mrs. Yewande Sadiku, CEO of NIPC also recognized CCA’s contributions and NIPC’s strong relationship with CCA.Following these meetings, Ms. Liser met with the Minister of State Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; Engr. Rabin Suleiman, Group Executive Director/Coordinator, Office of the Minister; Dr. Okon, Director of Public and Financial Policy; Gbite Adeniyi, Senior Technical Adviser to the Hon. Minister; and the Chief of Staff to the Minister. Also in attendance was CCA’s West Africa Director, Ekenem Isichei. Minister Kachikwu discussed plans for modular refineries. The modular refineries model being introduced will be tailor-made to the Niger Delta and the ministry would support investors looking to navigate the complex business environment. Finally, the Ministry asked for CCA and its members’ support in streamlining and standardizing technology in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.Ms. Liser will be in Nigeria for one more day and is expected to meet with the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and host a roundtable for CCA members.