Nigerian and Ivorian investors are forging a strategic alliance to promote cross-border investments, strengthen African brands and build sustainable generational wealth through the forthcoming Brands Licensing Africa initiative in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The initiative, scheduled for October 15 and 16, 2026, will bring together investors and business leaders from both countries to explore investment opportunities, exchange economic value and expand the reach of indigenous brands across Africa.

The collaboration between the Nigeria Billionaires Network and the Côte d’Ivoire Billionaires Network is designed to establish partnerships across key sectors, including oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, automotive, real estate, logistics, banking, asset management, information and communications technology, education and entertainment.

Among the Nigerian brands presented for the initiative are AA RANO in oil and gas, Brit Holdings in food and agriculture, Skyewise Group in automotive, De Chico Group in manufacturing, PH Airportcity in real estate, Zenith Carex in logistics and freight, 4stone Capital Limited in asset management, Capital Metriq Swift Bank in banking and education, and Charlie Boy in entertainment.

The Ivorian delegation features major business interests, including NSIA Group, Petro Ivoire, Kpandji Automobile, Petroci Holding, Foani, Gicobat Plus, Destiny Cocoa, Fidelis Finance, Soman Fintech and Sipra Group.

Speaking on the initiative, Chief Executive Officer, Noble & Gold Consulting and initiator of Brand Draft, Noble Eze Oluchukwu, said Africa’s economic progress had been constrained by national and economic divisions that limited collaboration among businesses across the continent.

He said Brand Draft was established to bridge these gaps by connecting established brands in different African countries, creating investment opportunities and building sustainable business structures capable of generating wealth across generations.

According to him, the initiative will facilitate strategic partnerships between investors in paired countries, enabling businesses to expand into new markets, exchange expertise and develop lasting commercial relationships.

Oluchukwu said the initiative would also recognise participating businesses through the proposed Industrial Hall of Fame for Africa, with selected Nigerian brands expected to be honoured in Côte d’Ivoire for their role in promoting cross-border investments.

He added that formal agreements would be established for brands entering partner countries to ensure that participating businesses and other stakeholders benefit from the arrangements.

The initiative, he said, would be driven by a win-win philosophy, with emphasis on sustainable value creation, industrial development and long-term economic partnerships.

President of the Côte d’Ivoire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Faman Touré, described the Nigerian delegation’s visit to the chamber as timely, noting that Ivorian investors had been seeking opportunities to deepen business relationships with their Nigerian counterparts.

He said Brands Licensing Africa was designed to provide a platform for investors from both countries to exchange economic value, establish strategic partnerships and explore opportunities for expanding their businesses.

Touré’s remarks followed a strategic economic meeting at which Nigerian brands were presented to the chamber for consideration under the proposed initiative.

The selected businesses are expected to be recognised through the Côte d’Ivoire Industrial Hall of Fame for Africa, in connection with efforts to promote investment and facilitate the entry of Nigerian brands into the Ivorian market.

The initiative comes amid growing calls for stronger intra-African trade, investment and industrial cooperation, with business leaders seeking to harness partnerships and home-grown enterprises to drive economic growth across the continent.