Blissomo International Ltd. of Nigeria and MT Events and Projects Management CC of Namibia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and implement the Africa Cross-Border Commerce and Investment Summit.

The agreement was signed simultaneously at the Nigerian and Namibian missions in Abuja and Windhoek during a virtual ceremony.

The Namibia High Commissioner to Nigeria, Walde Ndevashiya, said the initiative would create a practical platform for businesses to access new markets, identify investment opportunities and build partnerships between Nigeria, Namibia and other African countries.

Ndevashiya said the agreement demonstrated the role the private sector could play in advancing practical economic cooperation across Africa.

He described the simultaneous signing at the two diplomatic missions as symbolic of how diplomacy could facilitate commercial engagement between countries.

According to him, Nigeria and Namibia have maintained longstanding relations based on friendship, solidarity and mutual respect, but the relationship must evolve beyond government-to-government ties.

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He called for stronger business-to-business, private-sector and people-to-people partnerships capable of promoting trade, investment, employment and shared prosperity.

The envoy said the two countries had collaborated in areas including trade and investment, energy and oil and gas, tourism, creative industries, culture and business networking.

“This MOU therefore comes at an important moment. It provides a practical platform for connecting businesses, opening markets and developing partnerships across our two countries and, importantly, across the African continent,” he said.

Ndevashiya said the proposed summit could provide African businesses with opportunities to identify markets, investors, partners and new commercial prospects.

He urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and declarations and focus on establishing concrete business relationships, transactions and investments.

He added that the initiative aligned with efforts to boost intra-African trade and investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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The High Commissioner assured the organisers of the continued support of the Namibian High Commission in Abuja in efforts to deepen economic cooperation between Nigeria and Namibia.

Also speaking, Namibia’s Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, said the partnership emerged from contacts established during a business dinner organised in Namibia.

She said the event brought together businesswomen and stakeholders from Nigeria and Namibia, with the initial interactions eventually developing into business relationships.

Iipumbu described the development as a practical demonstration of the African proverb, “where there is a will, there is a way”, and encouraged other business leaders to explore similar partnerships.

The Deputy Director, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Trade Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abu-Ali Ndah, represented by Dayo Okewole, welcomed the partnership.

Ndah described the signing as a historic step towards establishing the Africa Cross-Border Commerce and Investment Summit and commended both companies for their commitment to advancing economic integration.

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“Today’s event is not just a ceremony. It is a practical step towards realising the profound economic aspirations of our continent,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Blissomo International Ltd., Blessing Irabor-Oza, said the MoU represented more than a formal agreement, describing it as an expression of a shared vision for stronger economic connections across Africa.

Irabor-Oza said African businesses could create greater value when they were connected to the right markets, capital, knowledge, institutions and opportunities across borders.

She said the partnership would strengthen commercial links among African businesses and expand access to markets and investment opportunities across the continent.

The Africa Cross-Border Commerce and Investment Summit is expected to bring together businesses, investors and other stakeholders to explore trade and investment opportunities and establish partnerships across African markets.