Namibia, Gambia seek deeper trade ties with Nigeria in tourism, agriculture 

Namibia and The Gambia are pushing for deeper trade ties with Nigeria, urging expanded cooperation in tourism and agriculture to strengthen regional economic integration.

The call came during the 8th CMD Food Tour in Abuja at the weekend, where both countries highlighted opportunities for mutual investment, agro-exports, and tourism flows across Africa.

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Other countries represented at the food tour were : Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Botswana, Tunisia, Cameroon, Uganda, Philippines, Benin Republic and DR Congo.

Abdoulie Hydara, Deputy High Commissioner and Head of Chancery at The Gambia High Commission, stressed on the need for Nigeria and other African countries to promote intra-African travel and trade, noting that tourism remains a major gateway to economic integration.

“The Gambia is a greenfield investment destination. Every sector is an opportunity from agriculture to manufacturing and the entire value chain. Tourism, trade and travel are the real tools for African integration. Nigerians should visit The Gambia, and Gambians should visit Nigeria. That is how we discover ourselves and build stronger economies,” Hydara said.

He said The Gambia offers visa-free access to visitors from all ECOWAS, Commonwealth and most African states, encouraging Nigerians to explore tourism, investment and agro-trade opportunities in the country.

Namibia also used the platform to spotlight its export potential and call for reciprocal trade flows. First Secretary of the Namibia High Commission in Abuja, Morris Sisinzi, said Namibia currently exports world-class beef and salt to global markets, noting that the same salt is shipped to Nigeria biweekly. “Each time the ship returns to Namibia, it goes back empty. We are now in discussions with Nigeria’s Export Promotion Council to identify products that can be put on the return vessel, such as tiger nuts, shea butter and items from Nigeria’s creative industry,” he said

Sisinzi said the food tour provided a unique window for countries to display their cuisines such as Namibia’s matangara, roasted bread and Kapana spices,while encouraging Nigerians to see agro-products as exportable goods that can strengthen the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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Host of the event and CEO of CMD Tourism and Trade, Cecile Mambo, said the rising interest from embassies shows growing recognition of gastronomy as an export commodity. “This is our 8th edition, and we had more new embassies join this year. African countries are beginning to understand that food is an economic product. Gastronomy tourism is a value chain that creates jobs and strengthens cultural economies,” she explained.

Ehile restating its commitment to deepening economic relations with Nigeria. Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, said both countries are advancing strategic cooperation across energy, agriculture, transportation, education and ICT.

“We have adopted a roadmap for 2026 and will operationalise the bi-national business council to expand economic ties,” he concluded

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