NICCI President Highlights Power of Cross-Border Partnerships at C&C Networking Brunch in Lagos

The President of the Nigerian Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI), Ishmael Balogun, joined a distinguished gathering of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals at the Conversations & Connections (C&C) Networking Brunch & Unveiling held in Lagos on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

Hosted at DANI Restaurant, the event convened a diverse audience of high-level stakeholders from across sectors for an afternoon dedicated to strategic dialogue, collaboration, and the exploration of cross-border opportunities.

The gathering was convened by Dr. Ebere Njoku under the theme “Conversations, Connections & Cross-Border Opportunities.” In her opening remarks, Dr. Njoku welcomed participants and shared the vision behind the Conversations and Connections initiative, emphasizing the importance of intentional networking platforms that foster meaningful relationships, knowledge exchange, and new business partnerships across borders.

The event attracted representatives from leading organizations including Wema Bank, Analogue MBU, Bank of Industry, and Alaro City, among others, reflecting the strong cross-sector participation that defined the gathering.

A key highlight of the event was a special address by Patrick Kimata, a Kenyan business professional who marked his one-year anniversary of living in Nigeria on the day of the event. Kimata spoke passionately about the importance of strengthening partnerships between Nigeria and Kenya, stressing that deeper trade relations and stronger cross-border engagement between African countries could unlock significant economic opportunities for businesses across the continent.

Building on this vision of Pan-African collaboration, NICCI President Ishmael Balogun delivered a compelling address on the strategic role of chambers of commerce in advancing bilateral trade and investment. Balogun highlighted NICCI’s commitment to creating enabling environments that allow businesses to grow and thrive through institutional support, policy advocacy, and international partnerships. He emphasized that structured platforms such as chambers of commerce are critical in transforming networking opportunities into tangible economic outcomes, while encouraging stronger collaboration among African and global business communities.

The discussions were further enriched by insights from Guest Conversationalist Boason Omofaye, a renowned financial journalist and Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Africa Reports. Omofaye, who also anchors Africa Xchange on Arise News, shared perspectives on Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape and the importance of strategic conversations in shaping the future of business on the continent. Drawing from his extensive experience covering African financial markets, he emphasized the need for long-term economic planning, robust policy frameworks, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to drive sustainable growth across Africa.

Another defining moment of the brunch was an interactive networking session in which participants were invited to introduce themselves and their organizations. This open-mic segment allowed attendees to share their professional expertise and business interests, creating opportunities for potential partnerships and collaboration.

Throughout the afternoon, conversations focused on Nigeria’s business environment, emerging investment prospects, and the growing importance of professional networks that transcend national boundaries.