A three-day engagement hosted by the Global African Business Association welcomed Nigerian business leaders and economic diplomats to Michigan for high-level discussions on trade, investment, and diaspora-led development.
October 24th, 2024
Wayne County, Michigan — In October 2024, the Global African Business Association (GABA) had the honor of hosting a landmark three-day GABA–NACCIMA Trade Mission, bringing together a powerful delegation of Nigerian business leaders, diplomats, and trade officials for a series of high-level engagements across Southeast Michigan.
The trade mission, organized in partnership with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), included meetings with the Wayne County Economic Development Department, Duchess Naturals Limited, and the Middle Eastern North African American Chamber of Commerce (MENA American Chamber of Commerce). The visit underscored a growing movement to deepen economic and diplomatic ties between West Africa and the State of Michigan.
“This trade mission was a reminder that when we center relationship-building, cultural respect, and shared purpose, we create the conditions for meaningful, long-term impact. The dialogue between Nigerian leaders and Michigan stakeholders was not just about trade—it was about trust, legacy, and the belief that our communities can shape a more connected global economy,” said O. Rerhi Onomake, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association.
Among the dignitaries present was Kano Audley Smith, Honorary Consul General of Namibia to the State of Michigan, and Victoria Akai, CEO of Duchess Naturals Limited and Chairperson of NACCIMA’s Trade Fair Committee. Both played a key role in advancing dialogue around African trade infrastructure, private-sector growth, and diaspora commerce strategy.
“This mission was not just symbolic—it was strategic,” said Akindele Akinyemi, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association. “We are building a long-term bridge between Michigan and Nigeria. Our goal is to unlock real opportunity for African and African American businesses to grow together, through intentional collaboration, investment, and trade policy alignment.”
The GABA–NACCIMA Trade Mission reflects a shared commitment to expanding bilateral trade, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and creating inclusive economic development pathways between Nigeria and the African diaspora in the United States. Topics of discussion included export readiness, logistics and warehousing, capital access, and public-private sector coordination.
GABA’s leadership emphasized that the future of Black-led economic development lies in building intentional infrastructure that connects local economies with the global African marketplace. The Trade Mission helped surface actionable priorities and new opportunities for partnership, including future joint trade expos, workforce exchange programs, and investment matchmaking.
As GABA continues to serve as a connector between U.S.-based African and Caribbean communities and global partners, the organization remains committed to advancing diaspora diplomacy and trade through relationships that are rooted in trust, strategy, and long-term value.
The glow of this visit may have lasted three days, but the partnerships it sparked are designed to last for generations.
