The Czech Republic has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding trade and investment relations with Nigeria, as business leaders, diplomats and policymakers convened in Abuja for the launch of the Nigeria–Central Europe Chamber of Commerce, a new platform aimed at strengthening economic links between Europe and Africa.
Speaking at a dinner organised to unveil the chamber, the Czech Ambassador to Nigeria, Tomáš Výprachtický, said Prague is seeking to deepen bilateral cooperation by creating practical channels for dialogue, investment and long-term partnerships across key sectors of the economy.
The event, hosted by the chamber in collaboration with the Regional Trade Institute and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Nigeria, brought together senior government officials, private-sector leaders and representatives from the creative and industrial sectors.
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According to Mr Výprachtický, the chamber is designed to foster collaboration in an informal setting that encourages trust-building and commercially driven engagement between Czech and Nigerian stakeholders.
Building on Existing Ties
The ambassador noted that Nigeria and the Czech Republic already enjoy a long-standing political and economic relationship, with Czech companies and institutions active in Nigeria for several years. He highlighted people-to-people exchanges as a foundation for deeper cooperation, citing Nigerian clergy who have served in Czech monasteries as examples of cultural and social linkages between the two countries.
Describing Nigeria as a country rich in both natural and human capital, Mr Výprachtický pointed to strong potential for expanded cooperation in engineering, technology and industrial development. He said advancing collaboration in these areas has been a central focus of his diplomatic mission, while acknowledging that significant untapped opportunities remain.
A Platform for Europe–Africa Commerce
The President of the Nigeria–Central Europe Chamber of Commerce, Paschal Onyemaechi, said the organisation was registered in August 2025 with a mandate to strengthen economic ties between Europe and Africa. The chamber currently operates across at least five countries, positioning itself as a bridge between European technical expertise and Africa’s growing markets.
Mr Onyemaechi said the chamber’s work will centre on promoting bilateral trade, encouraging investment flows and providing timely information on market trends and emerging opportunities on both continents.
He added that the organisation will also prioritise technology transfer, educational mobility, and closer engagement between business leaders, policymakers and industrialists, as part of a broader strategy to support sustainable economic growth.
Among its planned initiatives are the New Partnership for Development of Africa project and programmes aimed at reducing postgraduate study costs through new institutional arrangements with universities in the Czech Republic.
Leadership and Governance
A key moment at the launch was the induction of senior figures into the chamber’s leadership and advisory structures. Andrew Haruna, Pro-Chancellor of Bingham University and a distinguished linguist, was appointed head of the advisory council.
Other committee members inducted included Rislan Kanya, Jamilu Gwamna of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company, business leader Dere Awosika, and former Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
Strategic Implications
The establishment of the chamber comes as European countries intensify efforts to diversify trade partnerships and deepen engagement with Africa’s largest economy. For Nigeria, the initiative aligns with broader goals of attracting foreign direct investment, expanding industrial capacity, and strengthening access to European markets.
As both sides look to convert diplomatic goodwill into measurable economic outcomes, the Nigeria–Central Europe Chamber of Commerce is positioning itself as a key institutional conduit for translating opportunity into long-term commercial partnerships.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on April 26, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
