The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for fostering an enabling environment that supports private sector growth, describing his role in facilitating the partnership between Hypercity and Carrefour as commendable.

Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the franchise signing ceremony in Abuja, Gbajabiamila described the collaboration as a strong vote of confidence in Nigeria’s economy.

He highlighted Wike’s “pivotal role” in bringing the deal to fruition, noting that the minister’s business-oriented approach to governance is yielding tangible results in the nation’s capital.

According to him, the partnership reflects ongoing efforts to reshape Abuja’s economic and physical landscape, positioning it as a key driver of investment and development.

Gbajabiamila said the initiative, though launched in Abuja, signals Nigeria’s growing status as a leading investment destination in Africa. He added that the development could spark a retail transformation across the country.

“Abuja is sowing the seed, but that seed will grow into a tree with many branches in different cities,” he said, noting that expansion plans are already targeting Lagos and other major urban centres.

He also urged global investors to see Nigeria as a stable destination for long-term partnerships, emphasizing the country’s economic potential under the current administration.

In his remarks, Managing Director of Hypercity Supermarket, Sunny Chuwla, said the partnership is expected to drive investment, create jobs, and expand market access for local suppliers.

He disclosed plans to open new stores in Abuja and other cities, adding that the collaboration aims to build a modern retail ecosystem by combining global expertise with local capacity.

Chuwla described the agreement as a starting point for long-term growth, noting that Nigeria has evolved from a market of potential to one of real opportunity, citing the success of the company’s first store in Port Harcourt in 2022.

As part of the next phase, existing stores in Port Harcourt are set to transition to the Carrefour brand, with further expansion planned across major cities.

The partnership also reinforces Abuja’s emergence as a growing retail hub, showcasing the stability and investment potential of the Nigerian market to the global business community.