MATRADE to Spotlight Nigeria's High Growth Opportunities for Malaysian Businesses in New Webinar
MATRADE will bring together government officials, trade experts, legal advisers and business leaders on 22 July to help Malaysian companies better understand opportunities, market entry strategies and regulatory requirements for expanding into Nigeria, Africa's largest economy.
KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will host a webinar highlighting business and investment opportunities in Nigeria as it steps up efforts to encourage more Malaysian companies to explore one of Africa's fastest growing consumer markets.
The webinar, titled Unlocking High Growth Opportunities in Nigeria – Africa's Largest Market, will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, 22 July, at 3.30pm (GMT+8) under the MATRADE Academy's Bridging the World programme. The session aims to provide Malaysian exporters, manufacturers and investors with practical insights into Nigeria's priority growth sectors, market trends and business opportunities while equipping participants with the knowledge needed to enter the market successfully.
According to MATRADE, participants will gain first hand perspectives from business leaders with experience operating in Nigeria, learn practical export and market entry strategies, and better understand the country's legal and regulatory framework to minimise compliance risks.
Malaysia's High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Aiyub bin Omar, will deliver the opening remarks, while welcoming remarks will be presented by Naim Abdul Rahman, Director of Export Promotion and Market Access Division at MATRADE.
The programme will also feature remarks by Amarjeet S. Ghai, President of the Malaysia Africa Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MACCI), alongside presentations from Jude Bryan S. Dass, Trade Commissioner at MATRADE Lagos, Dr Shermal Perera, Founder and Group Managing Director of Agrinexus International, Prince Olawale Suleiman Ayinla, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Traders Market, and Mr Femi Sunmonu, Partner and Chair of Africa Practice at Aliant Law.
Mr. Amarjeet is expected to highlight the importance of strengthening commercial links between Malaysia and Nigeria. "Programmes like this are important because they help build lasting relationships between Malaysian and Nigerian businesses, creating greater access to high growth opportunities while giving companies the confidence and networks they need to succeed in the market," he is expected to say.
Nigeria, with a population of more than 230 million people, is Africa's largest economy by gross domestic product and one of the continent's biggest consumer markets. The country is a major producer of oil and gas but is also investing heavily in agriculture, manufacturing, digital technology, infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare and financial services as it seeks to diversify its economy.
Malaysia has maintained long standing diplomatic and commercial relations with Nigeria, with bilateral trade covering petroleum products, palm oil, chemicals, machinery, electrical and electronic products, rubber based products and manufactured goods. Nigerian exports to Malaysia include crude petroleum, natural gas and agricultural commodities, while Malaysian companies have established a presence in sectors including energy, plantations, education, healthcare and construction.
According to Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), bilateral trade between Malaysia and Nigeria has consistently exceeded RM3 billion (approximately US$700 million) annually in recent years, making Nigeria one of Malaysia's most significant trading partners in Sub-Saharan Africa. Both governments continue to identify opportunities to expand trade, investment and business partnerships as demand grows across West Africa.
The webinar comes as Malaysian companies increasingly look beyond traditional export markets to diversify their international footprint. Nigeria's strategic location within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which provides access to a regional market of more than 400 million people, makes it an attractive gateway for businesses seeking expansion across the African continent.
Registration for the webinar is open through MATRADE's online portal.
Event Details
Webinar: Unlocking High Growth Opportunities in Nigeria – Africa's Largest Market
Date: Wednesday, 22 July 2026
Time: 3.30pm (GMT+8)
Platform: Zoom Webinar
Speakers
- H.E. Aiyub bin Omar – High Commissioner of Malaysia to Nigeria (Opening Remarks)
- Naim Abdul Rahman – Director, Export Promotion and Market Access Division, MATRADE (Welcoming Remarks)
- Amarjeet S. Ghai – President, Malaysia Africa Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MACCI)
- Jude Bryan S. Dass – Trade Commissioner, MATRADE Lagos
- Dr Shermal Perera – Founder and Group Managing Director, Agrinexus International
- Prince Olawale Suleiman Ayinla – Founder and CEO, Malaysia Traders Market
- Femi Sunmonu – Partner and Chair of Africa Practice, Aliant Law
