Culled from Africafashionguide
The UK Nigeria 100 initiative will use an online networking platform where registered businesses will be able to interact and explore business opportunities through webinars, social meet-ups and exhibitions in London, Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. As the London hub coordinator, SBA will be acting as the intermediary between the Nigeria and London hubs so if you’re based in the UK and thinking about what opportunities Nigeria could hold for you, get in touch!
Nigeria is already an emerging market for businesses opportunities and has seen global brands such as Mango, Zara and M.A.C tap into the economy, establishing outlets in the nations’ prime locations. For the next 3 months, they will be working with UK SMEs in creative industries such as media, music, fashion, film and television that are interested in expanding their products and services to Nigeria, and want support finding out how to do so and will also be helping the Nigerian hubs to support the Nigerian SMEs that want to explore the UK market. For example through the platform, Nigerian fashion houses can express interest to UK retailers interested in international brands, or UK based software developers can pitch to develop online payment applications for Nigerian businesses.
SMEs have been highlighted by both the Nigerian and British government as significant job creators and a crucial part of their economic growth and sustainability strategies with an agreed target of expanding bilateral trade to $8 billion by the end of 2014. UK Nigeria 100 will be focusing on SMEs which need to move out of their comfort zones and start developing trading relationships with global markets.
According to SBA founders Kiran Yoliswa and Alae Ismail “SBA is all about encouraging trade with creative communities in Africa so we’re really excited to be leading the London side of this project to encourage collaboration between creative SMEs just like us.”
Nigerian fashion SMEs have highlighted particular interest in manufacturers, retailers, companies that can help with branding and packaging and wholesalers. Distribution for film, TV and music content is especially sought after as are companies that can help package creative content.
If you’re interested in finding out more about this project and getting involved, contact the London hub coordinators Styled By Africa through london@UKnigeria100.net.
UK Trade and Investment and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office partnered on this initiative
Source: www.africafashionguide.com
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