At the Nigeria-Israel Business Forum’s Annual General Meeting, a delegation of Israeli business experts offered valuable insights into how Nigeria can utilise technological advancements to enhance its non-oil sector, particularly in the realm of agriculture. The potential benefits of incorporating modern technology to bolster food production in Nigeria were a focal point of the experts’ presentations.
Notably, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, affirmed her nation’s dedication to partnering with Nigeria in order to drive economic and business development. She underscored Israel’s preparedness to cultivate partnerships with both the public and private sectors in Nigeria, with the aim of achieving mutual benefit for both countries.
Moreover, the Nigerian Ambassador in Tel-Aviv, Agatha Afoekelu, urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to leverage the amicable business relations with Israel to expand the country’s exports. She emphasised the potential for Nigerian products to be exported to Israel and expressed readiness to facilitate and support such initiatives.
Kidron Israel, the Managing Director of ONIDA, an Agric and Aquaculture Solutions Company based in Abuja, echoed the sentiment of the Israeli delegation. He underscored Nigeria’s capacity to not only fulfill its own food needs but also emerge as a net exporter of agricultural products. Emphasising the need for Nigeria to pivot away from importing food items, Israel stressed the potential for the nation to leverage its substantial population to augment agricultural exports.
Florence Osuji, the National Coordinator of Nigeria-Israel Business Forum, reiterated the commitment to promoting business relations between the two nations. She pointed out the one-sided nature of trade between Nigeria and Israel and highlighted the untapped possibilities for Nigeria to export non-oil products, such as rice, to Israel.
The forum’s objectives include generating awareness about existing opportunities for business collaboration between Nigeria and Israel, as well as facilitating the export of Nigerian products. Osuji specifically mentioned the potential for Nigeria to export rice to Israel, given the high demand for rice in Israel due to the steady influx of pilgrims throughout the year.
The meeting between Israeli and Nigerian business leaders represents a valuable platform for nurturing bilateral trade relations and exploring collaboration prospects. In light of the informative discussions and shared perspectives, it is evident that Nigeria possesses significant potential to harness technology and innovation to propel growth in its agricultural sector. As both countries continue to fortify their economic ties, the outlook for mutually beneficial partnerships is indeed promising.