(Olanipekun Ojo, executive secretary of the Nigerian-American Chamber Of Commerce, talks with representatives in Farmington Hills. / Photo by AMIP)
Matchmaking isn’t just about love. In the world of economic development, it’s about matching business leaders with each other to fuel growth and success.
When the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce visited the city of Farmington Hills May 1, it was all about making connections and seeking sources to boost business opportunities between the African nation and the U.S.
“It was hugely successful,” said Nancy Cappola, Farmington Hills economic development director. “Africans want products made in America or products made for the American market.”
A delegation with the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce counted Farmington Hills as one of four cities members visited while in the U.S. They also visited Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh.
The delegation came seeking connections to companies from which they can source products and services; bring back technology to improve their agriculture, food processing and packaging industries; and in a few cases to establish joint ventures partnerships, Cappola said.
Michigan is home to some 80,000 African nationals, with a total of two million spread throughout the U.S., said Cappola, who has an existing professional relationship with the Michigan-African diaspora from her work at Tech Town in Detroit.
Farmington Hills City Manager Steve Brock welcomed the delegates at city hall and spoke briefly of the importance of local government in providing a stable platform for business growth.
Mayor Barry Brickner hosted the Nigerian Ambassador B.E. Archibong, the Nigerian Minister of Trade Vivian Okeke and 25 delegates. Each company representative gave a brief overview of their business and business development interests, Cappola said.
“He was very gracious,” Cappola said of Brickner, who was asked why Farmington Hills is a good location for business.
Open for business
In addition to a local government that works with companies, Brickner told the delegates that the proximity to airports, freeways and railways, and access to Canada, as well as its array of high-tech companies makes Farmington Hills a prime spot for business development. And not to mention that potential business customers are in Farmington Hills and Michigan, Brickner added.
“They want American partnerships. They want to work with American people,” Cappola said of the Nigerian companies.
The CEO of one of Nigeria’s fast growing companies seeks sources for gear boxes and heavy duty conveyor belts. An attorney, who left his practice, to open a company producing black pepper, seeks food manufacturing companies in the U.S. Another Nigerian business leader seeks technology, packaging and processing services for an agricultural company.
“They want to joint partner to help expand the poultry industry in Nigeria,” Cappola said.
Yet another Nigerian representative told Farmington Hills officials that he seeks companies to source American-made orthopedic implants in his country. Also visiting were company representatives who want to purchase heavy equipment for the construction industry in Nigeria. Others are interested in sourcing tools for the oil and shale gas industries.
But it wasn’t just local people who were listening to the delegation. The program was streamed live over the Internet to Nigeria. At one point more than 700 people tuned in to watch the event.
“Our city wants to let global markets know that we exist and are open for business,” Cappola said.
Emerging market
The Trade Mission was assisted locally by Eniang Efiong, founder and president of the African World Expo, and Edward. Africa is an up-and-coming continent that will play a role in global economic development and business, according to economists.
Nigeria’s gross domestic product was worth $243.98 billion in U.S. dollars in 2011. The GDP value of Nigeria represents 0.39 percent of the world economy, according to the World Bank. Economists expect Nigeria, already the continent’s most populated nation and largest oil producer, to overtake South Africa in terms of GDP over the next several years, technically making it Africa’s biggest economy, according to The Daily World newspaper.
Entrepreneurship
The importance of the Nigerian delegation visiting Farmington Hills is significant based on the fact that Africa is one of the world’s emerging markets, Cappola said. And unlike America and Europe, where populations are aging and comprise among the largest population groups, Africa and India’s populations are younger.
“If you don’t have young people, you don’t have entrepreneurship,” Cappola said.
The city invited several economic development directors from neighboring cities, including Farmington’s Kevin Christensen and Livonia’s Mark Taormina.
Federal representatives were also on hand to explain the services particular agencies provide for U.S. companies seeking business abroad.
For example, Richard Corson, director of the East Michigan U.S. Export Assistance Center, discussed the existing coordination between the U.S. commercial services in Nigeria and his office.Following the event, Cappola met individually with some delegation members to learn of their financial and business capacities and the type of local connections they seek.
“One of the delegates told me that the west has technology and education, and the east has resources. He said, ‘We must come together to make a better world.’”
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