By Esther Onyegbula

The maiden edition of the Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, BACCIMA, International Trade Fair opened on Friday with calls for deeper regional trade integration, improved cross-border commerce and stronger public-private sector collaboration to unlock the economic potential of the Badagry corridor.

Stakeholders at the event described Badagry as a strategic gateway for regional commerce within West Africa and urged governments, investors and business operators to maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex along Badagry Expressway, President of BACCIMA, Alhaji Yahaya Oladiran Idris, said the trade fair was conceived as a strategic platform to promote investment, industrial growth and regional economic cooperation.

He said: “The BACCIMA Trade Fair is more than just an exhibition platform. It is a strategic economic and commercial gathering designed to promote local and international trade, encourage Small and Medium Enterprises, facilitate investment opportunities, strengthen cross-border commerce and enhance regional integration under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area.”

According to him, Badagry occupies a unique strategic position in regional trade due to its border location linking Nigeria with neighbouring West African countries.
“As a border community chamber with unique strategic importance, the Badagry Division occupies a vital position in regional trade and economic connectivity between Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.

“It is therefore imperative that stakeholders continue to collaborate in unlocking the enormous economic potential that exists within this corridor,” he said.

Idris acknowledged the impact of prevailing global economic challenges on participation at the fair but insisted that organisers remained committed to the success of the initiative.

He said: “No doubt, the current global economic realities, including the impact of the Middle East crisis and the resulting increase in fuel prices, have negatively affected public and corporate participation in the fair. However, we remain undeterred in our commitment to ensuring the success of this event.”

The BACCIMA president also appealed to the Lagos State Government to establish an international park along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor to complement the Federal Government’s plan to transform the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex into a regional economic hub.

“I seize this opportunity to appeal to the Lagos State Government to establish an International Park along this corridor as a strategic complementary project that will support the Trade Fair Hub and cross-border trade across the Lagos-Abidjan trade route in West Africa,” he added.

Declaring the fair open, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, described the event as a major platform positioning Lagos as a gateway for regional and global trade.

Represented by the Acting Director, Mr Segun Alugba, the commissioner said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remained committed to strengthening infrastructure and policies supporting enterprise growth and seamless trade.

“This year’s theme, ‘Trading Without Borders: Empowering Businesses for Regional and Global Markets,’ speaks directly to the economic direction of our State. Lagos is not only Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre but also a major player in Africa’s evolving trade landscape,” she said.

According to her, the state government was investing heavily in road infrastructure, logistics and institutional reforms aimed at improving trade efficiency and unlocking the economic opportunities within the Badagry corridor.
She said: “Our commitment is clear. We are improving road networks, supporting logistics systems and facilitating smoother movement of goods and services.

“We are also working closely with federal agencies and regional bodies to reduce trade bottlenecks and improve border efficiency.”
Ambrose-Medebem said Lagos State was positioning itself strategically within the AfCFTA ecosystem, which she noted provides access to a market of over 1.4 billion people.

Highlighting support initiatives for MSMEs, she disclosed that Lagos State had launched several intervention programmes, including the N10 billion LASG-BOI Access to Finance for SMEs through Cooperatives, LASMECO, scheme.
“At a time when access to capital remains a challenge for many small businesses, this model offers a practical solution,” she said.

She further revealed that through the Lagos State Export Readiness Programme, LASERP, about 253 MSMEs had been trained and prepared for export opportunities, while 20 participants were sponsored to attend the Intra-African Trade Fair held in Algiers in 2025.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Engr. Olusola Obadimu, described Badagry as one of Nigeria’s most strategic trade corridors.

“Badagry is a strategic location and a major cross-border town. We understand the importance of border communities to the Nigerian economy,” he said.
Obadimu noted that the vast land space at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex provided an advantage over the traditional Lagos International Trade Fair venue at Tafawa Balewa Square.

“One major advantage this fair has over the traditional Lagos International Trade Fair held at Tafawa Balewa Square is space.
“While the Lagos fair often accommodates FMCGs and smaller products, this location can conveniently host larger equipment such as tractors and industrial machinery,” he said.
He, however, stressed the need for improved publicity to expand future editions of the fair.
“Going forward, one key area we must improve on is publicity. We are willing to work with the organisers to ensure that future editions receive wider promotion because many people are not yet sufficiently aware of the fair,” he added.

Also speaking, Vice President of the African Small and Medium Enterprise and Small and Medium Industries Summit, Conference, Exhibition and Awards, Benin Republic, Mr. Jean de Dieu Florent Djidonou, said the trade fair would enhance business visibility and regional partnerships.
“This trade fair is very important for businesses and participants. It gives visibility to companies exhibiting their products and services here. It also creates opportunities for partnerships and business relationships,” he said.
Djidonou pledged to mobilise more companies from the Benin Republic to participate in subsequent editions of the fair.

Trade expert, Mr. John Isemede, who has over four decades’ experience in cross-border commerce, described Badagry as a critical commercial hub for West Africa.
“Badagry remains a major commercial hub in West Africa for importation, exportation and transit activities,” he said.
He noted that the town’s accessibility through road, lagoon and sea routes strengthened its strategic relevance to both Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region.

“There is a strong need for greater sensitisation so people can better understand the economic opportunities available in Badagry. It serves as a terminal point linking West and Central Africa,” he added.

The event attracted government officials, business leaders, investors, exhibitors, development partners and entrepreneurs from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.