The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called for the reduction and harmonisation of multiple taxes and levies, improved infrastructure and easier access to affordable finance to enable Nigerian businesses to remain competitive and drive economic growth.

President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, made the call yesterday at the opening of the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) in Abuja, with the theme, “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy.”

Obegolu said the theme reflected the challenges confronting businesses, including inflation, exchange rate volatility, infrastructure gaps, high operating costs and changing tax and regulatory requirements.

He said Nigerian businesses had continued to adapt, invest, create jobs and seek new markets despite the difficult environment, but stressed that resilience must be backed by policies that encourage production, simplify compliance and improve competitiveness.

Obegolu called for continued government private sector consultation, reduction and harmonisation of multiple taxes and levies, improved infrastructure, easier access to affordable finance, simplified trade procedures and stronger support for local manufacturing and export oriented businesses.

He also urged businesses to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand into African and global markets, saying the 12 day fair, which features over 500 exhibitors and more than 10,000 products, services and solutions, provides an avenue to connect businesses with customers, investors and new markets.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the Federal Government was working to create an environment where businesses could thrive, investments could move efficiently and Nigerian enterprises could compete domestically and internationally.

Oduwole, who congratulated ACCI for sustaining the fair, said resilience meant the capacity of businesses to compete, adapt, invest, expand into new markets and create jobs despite changes in the operating environment.

She said the success of a trade fair should ultimately be measured by what happens after the exhibitions, including partnerships formed, contracts signed, investments unlocked, markets opened and jobs created.

“The real measure of success should therefore be what happens after exhibitions close: the partnerships formed, contract signed, investments unlocked, markets opened and jobs created,” she said.

The minister said government was focused on improving the business environment, reducing unnecessary barriers to trade and investment and expanding access to finance, standards, technology, information and markets, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

She urged Nigerian businesses to leverage AfCFTA by producing competitively, meeting required standards, understanding target markets and improving the movement of goods and services across borders.

Oduwole also said the creative economy was becoming an increasingly important part of Africa’s services economy, providing opportunities for Nigerian talent and enterprises in manufacturing, fashion, food, intellectual property and other creative industries to reach global markets.

She urged exhibitors to use the fair to meet buyers, find distributors, explore export markets, build partnerships and convert engagements into transactions.

Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Engr. Jani Ibrahim, represented by the Director General, Dr. Emmanuel Akeh, said recent economic reforms had produced positive developments but constraints affecting businesses needed to be addressed.

Akeh cited National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data showing that Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.89 per cent year on year in the first quarter of 2026, with the non oil sector accounting for 96.08 per cent of GDP. Manufacturing grew by 3.29 per cent, while the trade sector expanded by 2.08 per cent.

He said the figures must translate into improved conditions for businesses, households and consumers, noting that enterprises continued to contend with input costs, logistics, financing, labour and market access.

Akeh called for stronger productive capacity, improved trade infrastructure, reduced transaction costs and easier movement of goods and services, while urging government to ensure a tax system that was predictable, transparent, efficient and supportive of investment.

He also called for action on compliance costs, administrative complexities, multiple taxation and overlapping levies, saying a stronger and more productive private sector would ultimately create a broader and more sustainable tax base.

On MSMEs, he said businesses remained critical to employment and economic opportunities but continued to face challenges around finance, infrastructure, skills, technology and market information. He therefore advocated improved access to finance, business development services, digital transformation, skills development and infrastructure.

The Director General of ACCI, Mr Agbaidu Jideani, said the AITF had evolved beyond an exhibition into a platform connecting businesses with customers, investors, distributors, government institutions and international partners.

He urged exhibitors to maximise the 12 day event by engaging, negotiating, collaborating and transacting, while the Chairman of the 21st AITF and First Deputy President of ACCI, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, said extensive consultations had been undertaken with stakeholders to make the fair responsive to business needs.

The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, representing the Minister of Special Duties; representatives of the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the FCT Administration, diplomatic missions, traditional institutions, captains of industry, organised private sector groups, exhibitors, sponsors and other stakeholders.