The Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) has unveiled plans to strengthen its advocacy for policies that promote investment, improve the ease of doing business and create an enabling environment for enterprises to thrive in the state.
Abu Salami, President and Chairman of the Council of KWACCIMA, stated this on Thursday in his address at the opening of the chamber’s 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the KWACCIMA Secretariat, Afon Junction, Ganmo, Kwara State.
Salami said the Chamber was determined to reposition KWACCIMA as a leading chamber of commerce in Nigeria through innovation, strategic partnerships, institutional reforms, improved member services and sustainable programmes capable of delivering measurable value to its members.
He described the AGM as a significant event in the life of the chamber, providing an opportunity to review its activities and achievements over the past year, assess challenges, strengthen unity among members and chart a progressive course for the future of the chamber and the private sector in Kwara.
According to him, despite prevailing economic challenges confronting businesses across the country, KWACCIMA remained committed to promoting the interests of the organised private sector.
He said the chamber had, during the year under review, organised and participated in several strategic programmes aimed at promoting commerce, industry, agriculture, mining and entrepreneurship.
Salami added that the Chamber had strengthened its relationships with government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and diplomatic missions.
He specifically cited its collaboration with the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre and the successful Indonesian Business Forum held in Ilorin as initiatives that had opened new opportunities for trade and investment between Kwara businesses and international business communities.
The KWACCIMA president also stated that the Chamber had intensified its membership drive, encouraged stronger participation by sectoral associations and continued to provide platforms for business networking, investment promotion and enterprise development.
He added that the achievements recorded during the year were made possible by the collective support and commitment of members, the Executive Council, secretariat staff and partners.
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“As we prepare for the forthcoming 13th Kwara Trade Fair, the Executive Council remains committed to delivering an event that will further showcase the enormous economic and investment potential of Kwara State while creating greater opportunities for businesses to grow,” he said.
Salami urged members to actively participate in the AGM’s deliberations, stressing the need for openness, constructive ideas and a shared commitment to the continued growth of the chamber.
He expressed appreciation to members, past presidents, executive council members, governments at all levels, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders for their support.
“We shall build a stronger institution that will continue to promote economic prosperity, advocate for the private sector and contribute meaningfully to the development of Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
Also speaking, Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, the Kwara State Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, said the AGM represented not only a long-standing tradition but also an important platform for discussing ways to strengthen the state’s business environment.
The Commissioner, represented by Rabiat Bola Salaudeen, the Director of Industry, commended KWACCIMA for its sustained advocacy for the business community, promotion of industry partnerships and efforts to strengthen Kwara’s economic base.
She acknowledged the resilience of businesses in the state despite global economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, post-pandemic recovery challenges, fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
According to her, the ability of businesses to adapt and innovate remained critical to the state’s economic progress.
She said the State Government’s vision was to build a prosperous Kwara where businesses could thrive, create jobs and compete effectively at national and international levels.
“At the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology, we are committed to creating an enabling environment that will not only support existing businesses but also attract new investments, foster innovation and improve the ease of doing business across all sectors,” she said.
Adelodun stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between the government and private sector, noting that sustainable economic development could not be achieved by government alone, adding that the government would continue to engage stakeholders, identify barriers affecting businesses and pursue practical solutions to make Kwara an increasingly attractive destination for investment and enterprise development.
She posited that the State Government was investing in infrastructure, including roads, technology, healthcare facilities, education, digital connectivity and other facilities required to support economic growth.
On access to finance, the commissioner said the government is strengthening support for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), describing them as the lifeblood of the economy.
She said the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) had been strategically positioned to provide support for businesses, while arrangements were underway to reintroduce and reinvigorate the Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to cater to larger businesses.
According to her, the government was also engaging Deposit Money Banks to provide lending support to businesses and developing programmes around mentorship, skills training and market access.
She said the initiatives were aimed at equipping businesses with the resources and skills needed to grow and compete effectively.
The commissioner further highlighted Kwara’s resource base, skilled workforce and strategic location as opportunities for local and international trade, adding that the government was particularly focused on promoting industries with strong export potential.
She said the ministry, in collaboration with educational institutions and private-sector partners, was also advancing vocational training, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship programmes for young people across the state.
Adelodun listed the ICT Hub, Sugar Film Factory Studio, Garment Factory and agro-processing facilities, including shea nut and shea butter projects, among initiatives contributing to economic development across various sectors.
She also said government incentives, including tax holidays and reliefs, were being deployed to encourage business growth, while the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) had been strengthened to provide improved services to businesses.
Representatives of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Lower Niger River Basin Authority, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), in their goodwill messages and presentations, encouraged KWACCIMA to sustain its role in coordinating economic development and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.
The AGM provided a platform for stakeholders in the public and private sectors to review developments in Kwara’s business environment and explore strategies for deepening investment, enterprise development and economic growth in the state.
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