Find Trade Association expertise in Nigeria
- Chambers of Commerce
- Trade associations
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, headquartered in Lagos, represents chambers throughout the country. As an umbrella organisation, it frequently interacts with the federal government, the national assembly and state governments. It aims to champion and defend the private sector of the Nigerian economy and to advocate for the creation of an enabling business environment (efficient transportation, telecommunications, power supply and so forth).
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, founded in 1888, was the first chamber of commerce to be established in Nigeria. To become a member, the company must be duly incorporated to do business in Nigeria and must have a registered office in Lagos or its environs. The principal aim of the Chamber is to endorse, support or oppose legislative or other measures involving trade, industry, commerce and agriculture as well as representing the views of the business community in these matters. Chambers of commerce can be found in many other business centres, such as Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt.
Trade associations include the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) and the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA).
MAN represents nearly 2000 companies (2011) in both the private and public sectors in manufacturing, construction and service sectors. It was first formed in 1971, through the initiatives of manufacturers in Ikeja, Apapa and other industrial areas. NANTS was formed in Lagos by a group of traders in October 1997, and one of its main objectives is to represent and defend Nigerian traders by means of legal aid. WISTA is an example of an international trade association; its Nigerian chapter aims to incorporate women into mainstream maritime activities and to facilitate the professional development of its members.