By Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. The first Nigeria-Tunisian Business Meetings, held from February 2nd to 5th, 2025, aimed to provide an opportunity for Nigerian and Tunisian businesses to explore the existing opportunities in both African countries.
The meetings were organized by the Tunisian Embassy in Nigeria in collaboration with the Kano Council of Traders and Entrepreneurs (KASCOTE).
Eighteen Tunisian companies, along with several government agencies, attended the event, which attracted more than one hundred businesses from Nigeria, particularly from Kano State.
Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit, expressed gratitude to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and other economic partners from both Nigeria and Tunisia.
“My country’s deepest appreciation goes to such initiatives and international economic partnership efforts that seek to confront challenges, obstacles, and difficulties. We look forward to coordinating and putting the necessary mechanisms in place to achieve successful economic cooperation—synonymous with good faith and built on a win-win basis,” emphasized Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit.
Nigeria and Tunisia have a long way to go
“We still have a long way to go, and only through joint efforts will we be able to reach our fundamental goals.
Let us work together to transform this assembly into real opportunities for cooperation and build the sustainability we desire for our dear countries and for Africa as a whole.
Nigeria is a great and wonderful country because of its geography, leadership, and people,” Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit, emphasized.
The ambassador described Nigeria as a great and wonderful country and highlighted that diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Tunisia date back to the 1960s. Cooperation between the two nations has covered politics, economy, and other important fields, remaining strong and unshaken. He affirmed that the bonds between the two countries would continue to be fortified as they explore new means to further enhance their partnership.
The 7th edition of FITA, held in June 2024 in Tunisia, saw Nigeria participating with its largest and most efficient delegation, led by the governor of Ebonyi State. This, along with the current economic meetings, serves as a concrete step toward fostering harmony in the partnership between the two nations.
“I am totally confident that this major event will be followed by many others, yielding positive outcomes and favorable results.”
Mohsen Antit added that the Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in Abuja remains committed to close coordination and collaboration with Nigerians and is ready to provide the necessary goodwill, time, and perseverance for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly nations and their fellow African partners.
Kano Business Community Discovers Various Opportunities in Tunisia
President of the Kano Council of Traders and Entrepreneurs (KASCOTE), Hassan Tahir Yaro, stated that his association’s visit to the Tunisia-Africa Business Meeting in December 2022 opened a new chapter of mutual relations between the Kano business community and Tunisia.
“During that visit, we discovered numerous potentials, which subsequently led us to organize a delegation to explore opportunities for collaboration.
We drew the attention of the Kano State Government, particularly the Ministry of Health, encouraging them to send a delegation of doctors and supporting staff to study Tunisia’s National Health Insurance Scheme in 2022.
This sparked interest among individuals and groups, who have since visited Tunisia to gain a deeper understanding,” stated KASCOTE President, Hassan Yaro.
Kano State Government Expresses Delight Over the First Nigerian-Tunisian Business Meetings Held in Kano
Kano State Commissioner of Commerce and Investment, Shehu Shehu Wada Sagagi, expressed the state government’s readiness to provide opportunities and an enabling environment for foreign investors.
“The Kano State Government, under His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has initiated numerous infrastructure projects aimed at making Kano State a prime business destination for investors.
He has also invested heavily in human development, particularly in education, by sponsoring many Kano indigenes to study at various universities across the world.
Additionally, his administration is constructing multiple access roads and bridges in both Kano city and rural areas to facilitate the smooth movement of goods and services,” stated Sagagi.
The Commissioner of Commerce, however, called on the Tunisian government and companies to partner with the Kano State Government in waste management.
He also expressed gratitude to the 18 Tunisian businesses that attended the event and encouraged Kano and Tunisian entrepreneurs to collaborate on the available opportunities to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship.
The event’s highlights included visits to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
For More News And Analysis About Nigeria Follow Africa-Press
