Indonesia Trade Expo Secures $10m Deals As Kano Woos Investors

Business deals and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) valued at about $10 million have reportedly been secured ahead of the official opening of Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, as Indonesia steps up efforts to deepen trade and investment ties with West Africa.

The Ambassador of Indonesia to Nigeria, Bambang Suharto, disclosed this on Tuesday, October 14, at a reception for West African delegates in BSD City, Tangerang, Indonesia.

Suharto described Indonesia as a viable destination for West African businesses, saying trade relations between the two regions were built on trust, personal connections and shared economic interests.

He said engagements over the past year had strengthened bilateral relations and opened up opportunities for businesses to establish partnerships across the regions.

According to the ambassador, 109 West African participants attended the 2025 edition of the exhibition through arrangements facilitated by the Indonesian Embassy, generating business potential estimated at more than $24 million.

For the 2026 edition, he said 101 participants had arrived, while reports of agreements worth $10 million secured before the exhibition’s official opening indicated growing interest in commercial partnerships.

Suharto urged the delegates to use the exhibition to engage manufacturers, explore products, exchange ideas and establish partnerships capable of supporting long-term business growth.

He also assured participants of the Indonesian Embassy’s support in facilitating business connections and addressing challenges during their stay.

Indonesia Targets Billions In Trade Deals

The ambassador said the 2025 edition of Trade Expo Indonesia attracted 8,045 international buyers and 34,550 visitors from 131 countries, with reported transactions reaching $22.8 billion.

He added that Nigeria ranked among the top five countries in buyer attendance at the previous exhibition.

The 2026 edition was officially opened by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday, with organisers targeting transactions worth $17.5 billion.

More than 8,092 foreign buyers from 134 countries were reported to have participated in the exhibition.

The annual event provides a platform for Indonesian businesses to showcase products, meet international buyers and explore opportunities for distribution, investment and commercial partnerships.

Kano Seeks Indonesian Investment

Meanwhile, the President of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), Usman Darma, said Kano State was seeking to position itself as a gateway for Indonesian investment into Nigeria and other African markets.

Darma led a 100-member business delegation to the exhibition, although he disclosed that about 60 delegates were present at the welcoming reception, with others expected to arrive later.

He said the delegation’s primary objective was to encourage Indonesian companies to establish industries in Nigeria, particularly in Kano, to boost local production, create jobs and expand commercial activities.

According to him, Kano offers investors access to a large regional market, including opportunities to serve consumers in Nigeria and neighbouring African countries.

Darma said KACCIMA was promoting investment in 13 priority areas, including light manufacturing, agro-processing and pharmaceuticals.

He added that expanding domestic production would help meet local demand while creating opportunities for Nigerian businesses to export goods to other markets.

The chamber president also highlighted a recent trade exhibition organised in Kano by the Indonesian Embassy, saying participating Indonesian companies sold product samples and attracted buyers.

He described the chamber’s participation in the 2026 exhibition as part of broader efforts to attract foreign investment, strengthen commercial relations and accelerate industrial development in Kano.

The reported $10 million in preliminary agreements and Kano’s investment drive underscore ongoing efforts to expand economic cooperation between Indonesia and West Africa, particularly through industrial investment, manufacturing and trade.