The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) of Giessen-Friedberg, Germany, has announced plans to visit Nigeria in November as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and expand private sector partnerships.
Gatekeepers News reports that Matthias Leder, chief executive officer (CEO) of the chamber, disclosed this during a virtual news conference on Thursday. Also in attendance was Nigeria’s former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who now serves as Managing Partner at Bruit Costaud, a public relations firm.
Leder said the delegation would be in Nigeria from November 2 to 14, underscoring the chamber’s long-standing commitment to vocational training, institutional capacity-building, and entrepreneurship support in the country.
“Since 2005, IHK Giessen-Friedberg has worked closely with Nigerian chambers and associations to expand the quality and reach of vocational training, resulting in measurable impacts on youth employment, technical education, and business competitiveness,” Leder said.
He noted that the partnership had grown stronger in recent years, attributing much of that progress to the leadership of Lai Mohammed, whose involvement “helped elevate the cooperation to a new strategic level.”
“Over the past two years alone, IHK Giessen-Friedberg has undertaken two official missions annually to Nigeria,” Leder added.
Broadening the Scope of Collaboration
According to him, the upcoming visit will consolidate existing achievements while exploring new areas of cooperation across education, trade, and industrial development.
The IHK delegation is expected to hold high-level discussions with senior government officials from the ministries of labour and employment; youth development; education; budget and economic planning; industry, trade and investment; and foreign affairs.
Leder also listed the chamber’s Nigerian partners, including the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian-German Business Association (NGBA), and the Ogun Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCIMA).
He emphasized that the IHK-Nigeria partnership serves as a model for sustainable international collaboration focused on skills development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth.
“Our cooperation with Nigeria promotes sustainable development through youth skills training and business innovation, strengthening the foundation for long-term prosperity,” Leder said.
