A survey for Dutch companies doing business in Nigeria.
Since Nigeria’s independence the Netherlands has continuously been one of Nigeria’s main partners. With the pioneering contributions to agriculture through partnerships and technical assistance over the last 70 years, cooperation in the aviation and marine industries, including through designing and building infrastructure like ports, airports and dams and by playing a crucial role in the development of Nigeria’s energy sector. This in addition to large-scale contributions to the manufacturing of consumer goods, music production and the food and beverages industry. It can be said that the Netherlands has been involved in virtually every commercial or industrial sector in Nigeria’s history.
Contributing to the diversification of the Nigerian economy is very much part of the current day focus of the Netherlands in Nigeria, with key activities in sectors like agriculture, circular economy, infrastructure, healthcare, renewable energy and ICT.
Our two countries can look back at a mutually beneficial and respectful relationship where commercial and cultural ties have been tested and cemented by time and trust. We don’t close our eyes to the dark periods in our common history. The Trans-Atlantic slave trade, the negative side effects of the fossil fuel boom. But the beauty of our relationship is that we are adapting, and that
engagement comes from both sides in enabling new green and digital transitions. Where Dutch companies can assist Nigeria in coastal protection and climate smart agriculture, Nigerian computer programmers are providing ICT-services to companies in the Netherlands.
What links our two nations more than anything is the spirit of entrepreneurship; the realization that you have to take risks and move into new venues if you want to remain relevant. This unique publication holds treasures of data of the impact Dutch business had and have on Nigeria. Dutch companies have invested over EUR 2 billion in factories and projects in Nigeria over the past 5 years, and 70% of them plan to (re)invest in the next 1-3 years. Moreover, the Dutch companies employ over 6,000 people directly and >20,000 indirectly. And remember that behind the numbers are the personal relations that are the core of our success.
We sincerely hope these testimonies provide actionable opportunities to explore together. Be assured that the Netherlands; its companies and knowledge institutions continue to assist in Nigeria’s economic development, to the mutual benefit of the people of our countries.
“Dutch business” means any legal entity whose majority of the capital is owned by a citizen of the Netherlands or by a company having its headquarters in the Netherlands, or any company whose business is essentially dependent on trade between the Netherlands and Nigeria.”