ABEOCCIMA Hosts German Delegation, Signs KVP Collaboration Agreement

The Abeokuta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABEOCCIMA) on Monday signed a strategic collaboration agreement with the Giessen-Friedberg Chamber of Commerce, Germany, aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, promoting international trade, and supporting innovation for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

The development was confirmed in a statement by the Chamber’s Communication and Media Officer, Shola James Showunmi, following a meeting held today in Abeokuta, between ABEOCCIMA leadership and the Chambers Collaboration Project (KVP) team from Germany.

The German delegation was led by Project Director, Dr Kirsten Albrecht. Other members included Mr Martin Straehle, Mr Sherif Olaleye and Mr Victor Adegoke. 

The meeting opened with Olaleye introducing the German team, followed by the introduction of ABEOCCIMA leaders by the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Rahman Maku.

Leaders present included the First Deputy President, Pastor Ibrahim Bada; Second Deputy President, Engineer Lekan Jiboku; Vice Presidents, Alhaji Taiwo Raji and Mr Solomon Enilolobo; Financial Secretary, Alhaji Nureni Odunmbaku; Council Member, Mr Gbolahan Olude; and the Immediate Past President, Otunba A. Babs Adesanya.

In his remarks, Maku welcomed the German delegation and commended the Giessen-Friedberg Chamber for selecting ABEOCCIMA for the second phase of the project. He assured the visiting team that the Chamber would fully support the initiative to ensure its success.

Dr Albrecht emphasized the importance of the collaboration, urging ABEOCCIMA members to participate actively to achieve the goals of the project. 

She noted that the project proposal had already been approved by the German partners, making the signing of the documents a key step forward.

Mr Straehle outlined the main objectives of the initiative, highlighting sustainable organisational development and MSME service innovation as priority areas. 

He also mentioned the ongoing leadership portfolio retreat, a demand-driven activity that ABEOCCIMA will implement under the project framework.

The collaboration will foster partnerships across sectors including fintech, tourism and logistics, digital marketing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, health and medical sciences, and textiles.

Straehle added that the partnership would strengthen trade relations between Nigerian and German businesses, ahead of the “World Meets in Giessen” networking event scheduled for June 2026.

The meeting concluded with the formal signing of the project agreement by Dr Albrecht and Pastor Bada on behalf of the Giessen-Friedberg Chamber of Commerce and ABEOCCIMA, respectively.