The Initiative for Global Development Hosts Nigeria's Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

WASHINGTON - March 11, 2014 - PRLog -- The Initiative for Global Development (IGD) and the Nigeria Leadership Initiative hosted His Excellency Olusegun Aganga, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. The event, held at the Mayflower Hotel yesterday, brought together key policy and business audiences, and featured a candid discussion about the future of U.S. – Nigeria trade relations, moderated by IGD’s Chairman of the Board, Robert A. Mosbacher, Jr.

“We were honored to host Minister Aganga for this important discussion,” said Lionel Johnson, Senior Vice President of the Initiative for Global Development. “Through our work with corporate leaders and investors from around the world, we know that all eyes are on our Nigeria right now. The country represents tremendous economic potential, but also great challenges. We are eager to work with executives and businesses to make strategic investments that support sustainable economic growth, creating jobs and driving poverty reduction.”

Nigeria’s GDP growth rate averaged 6.8 percent between 2005 and 2013, with the oil sector driving the economy’s growth. Since taking office, Minister Aganga has prioritized the diversification of Nigeria’s economy away from its dependency on oil, to focus on investments in agriculture and trade, telecommunications, and infrastructure. He has fostered over $1.3 billion in retail market investments, and continues to encourage investments in sectors that will create jobs and support sustainable economic growth.

IGD has made Nigeria a focus country for the organization this year, understanding the strategic importance of a country with such potential and challenges. Through high-profile meetings with CEOs and senior executives from global companies, such as the upcoming Frontier 100 Forum held this May in Abuja, Nigeria, IGD will help identify and support strategic investments that drive poverty reduction.

This event represents the beginning of an ongoing partnership between IGD and the Nigeria Leadership Initiative, formalized through an MOU signed by the two organizations at IGD’s Leadership Council meeting last week. The signing was witnessed by Council co-chairs Madeleine K. Albright and Colin L. Powell.  Bringing together both organizations’ networks will help identify opportunities and strategic partnerships to make poverty-reducing investments throughout Nigeria.

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

The Initiative for Global Development (IGD) is a 501(c)(3) organization that drives significant poverty reduction by catalyzing business growth and investment in the developing world. IGD brings together an influential Frontier Leader network of CEOs and senior executives with the interest and capacity to make strategic investments in high-need, high-potential regions. Learn more: www.igdleaders.org.