A leading member of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Sierra Leone and Chief Executive Officer of Yennco World Trade Fair Limited, Dr. Onyeka Nwafor, has called on Nigerian manufacturers, exporters, entrepreneurs and investors to seize the opportunity offered by the maiden Nigeria-Sierra Leone Trade Fair to expand their businesses across West Africa.
Nwafor, who spoke ahead of the event, said the trade fair would serve as a major platform for boosting trade relations and economic cooperation between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
The inaugural exhibition is scheduled to hold from July 27 to August 9, 2026, at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and is expected to become an annual event.
According to him, the fair is designed to showcase Made-in-Nigeria products, open new markets for Nigerian businesses and create stronger commercial links between both countries.
He noted that annual trade between Nigeria and Sierra Leone is currently estimated at about $5 million, with Nigerian exports accounting for approximately $2.96 million, describing the figures as modest but full of growth potential.
Nwafor said exhibitors would benefit from access to a large audience, networking opportunities with top industry players, extensive media visibility, product launch platforms, business-to-business matchmaking sessions and participation certificates.
He stressed that the event would provide a strategic gateway for attracting investment, promoting cross-border trade and deepening economic integration within the West African sub-region.
The trade fair promoter therefore urged government agencies, manufacturers, exporters, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and investors to take advantage of the exhibition to showcase their products, forge valuable partnerships and explore new business opportunities.
The Nigeria-Sierra Leone Trade Fair is expected to attract participants from diverse sectors, further strengthening economic ties and enhancing regional trade between the two countries.
