Vice President Kashim Shettima, at a business forum in Sweden, on Thursday, marketed investments opportunities that abound in Nigeria, to Swedish investors.

During the event at Epicenter, Stockholm, Sweden, where he is currently on a two-day working visit aimed at boosting trade and bilateral relations between both nations, VP Shettima noted that Nigeria and Sweden have a time-honored history of cooperation, particularly in trade, technology, and sustainable development.

Shettima urged the prospective investors  to to seize opportunities in  Nigeria’s MSMEs, agriculture, digital economy, renewable energy, health and other critical sectors.

Shettima pointed out that the nation is now “an ambitious nation, bound by the limitless potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

VP Shettima assured that the Tinubu administration has done much within the last year to brighten Nigeria’s investment climate, creating vast investment opportunities.

He said, “Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, there is tremendous potential for collaboration between Nigeria and Sweden across multiple sectors.

Whether in finance, renewable energy, digital innovation, agriculture, or education, our partnership holds the promise of immense benefits for both nations.

I urge Swedish investors to seize the opportunities in Nigeria and work with us to build a prosperous and sustainable future.”

The Vice President urged the Swedish investors to deploy their expertise in technology and innovation to collaborate with Nigerian start-ups, driving growth and creating jobs, even as he stressed that the partnership between both countries can accelerate this transition.

On agriculture, he said while Nigeria is working to modernize the sector, Swedish expertise in agriculture technology could assist the nation in achieving this through investments in precision farming, mechanization, and value-chain development, with a view to improving productivity and food security.

In an address of welcome,  the Vice President of Sweden, Edgar Luczak, Chairman, Partner & Head of Advisory, Epicenter, Sweden, noted that the future is digital and sustainable, assuring that the Epicenter was ready to engage not just in words but in action. According to him, through collaboration, both countries can build a stronger economy, create jobs, and most importantly, ensure a future for the generations to come.

“We hope we can take this opportunity to launch an accelerated programme that will not only follow in the footsteps of our other excellent programmes that we do with the likes of Google, Microsoft, Singapore, and other countries but create our own path to support Nigeria in its unique growth,” he added.

Gluwa Commits $100m

Mr. Akinola Jones, Director of Gluwa, a digital wallet service, said as part of its contribution to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, the company would train over 30,000 people in digital skills. Jones said they had already started training about 1,000 people in Jigawa state, adding that they are committing $100 million across Nigeria.

“We have a big vision for Nigeria, and I think our vision is banking the unbanked and connecting the unconnected. We see a situation where, once we launch our satellite in December this year, we can connect direct satellite to WiFi. This is going to be a very big win for Nigeria and a very big win for the technology ecosystem.

“We have given about $100 million in loans. It is not just about disbursing loans, it is not just about trying to grow portfolios, it is really about giving back. We are pushing for a lot of impact, and we are also working with the government and presidency to train people on digital skills,” he said.

Ericsson To Build $19m Tech Hub In Nigeria

The Managing Director of Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Peter Olusoji Ogundele, has revealed the company’s plan to build a technology hub worth about $19 million in Nigeria.

He said, “Nigeria has enough youths that can come into that field. We can train them, Ericsson will also take part in it, and some of them we can export to the world, and we will be like another India. “

Ericsson was the first to have over 1,000 sites in Nigeria and continues to invest in the country. We have been here since 1978, and for us, our partnership is an enduring one.”

On her part, Ms. Anthonia Huard, Regional Director, North & West Africa, Energy & Transport Lead, said Nigeria has become the country’s focal point in Africa for optimal engagement.

“In order to be efficient in Africa, the organization focused on prioritizing markets of which Nigeria is one and matched the areas of focus of Sweden to the needs and focus of the countries for optimal engagement,” she stated.

Also, the Director, Project Accelerator, of Swedfund, Mr. Hakan Danhltor, expressed the organization’s commitment to reducing poverty and supporting sustainable development through investments in the private sector and in local private companies.

For her part, Mikaela Edstrom of the Swedish Export Credit Agency said the agency is closely watching the ongoing economic reforms taking place in Nigeria and views them as positive for the future. “We can, together with our sister organization, provide a world-class export credit system for Nigeria,” Edstrom pledged.

Vice President Shettima held bilateral talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maria Malmer Stenergard and Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden, Ebba Busch. These discussions focused on strengthening ties and exploring new areas of cooperation between Nigeria and Sweden.