Indonesia Woos West Africa As Kano Positions As Gateway To African Markets

Kano State is positioning itself as Indonesia’s gateway to Africa as the Southeast Asian nation intensifies its push to woo West African buyers ahead of the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia, which opened on October 14, 2026, in Tangerang.

The Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture led a 100-member business delegation to the expo, with about 60 delegates already on the ground and the rest expected to arrive shortly.

KACCIMA President Ambassador Usman Darma said the delegation’s priority was to attract Indonesian companies to establish industries in Kano, which he described as a strategic base for reaching markets across the continent.

“Our main focus is how we can encourage indigenous Indonesian companies to come to Nigeria, especially Kano, to establish more industries because we believe it is an advantage for all of us,” Darma said.

He said Kano offers investors access to a market spanning almost 26 of Africa’s 54 countries, alongside what he described as the continent’s cheapest labour and a business environment capable of accommodating new investments.

Darma disclosed that KACCIMA was pursuing Indonesian investment across 13 priority areas, including light industry, agro-processing and pharmaceuticals. He noted that local production in these sectors could meet domestic demand while creating opportunities for re-export to other African markets.

The KACCIMA president also praised the Indonesian trade expo recently organised in Kano by the Indonesian Embassy, saying participating companies sold out their samples and secured buyers.

Indonesia recorded business deals worth 10 million dollars ahead of the official opening of the expo, according to Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria Bambang Suharto.

Suharto said 101 participants from West Africa had arrived for the 2026 edition, and he was encouraged by reports of memoranda of understanding worth 10 million dollars signed before the exhibition officially opened.

He recalled that 109 participants from West Africa attended the 2025 edition through the facilitation of the Indonesian Embassy, generating business potential worth more than 24 million dollars.

The ambassador described Indonesia as an ideal destination for West African businesses, noting that strong relationships, trust and shared economic interests remain essential for building sustainable commercial partnerships.

Nigerian buyers have consistently ranked among the top participants at the expo. According to Indonesian trade analyst Iska Huberta Sinural, Nigeria ranked third in buyer attendance in 2024 and fourth in 2025.

Sinural said Indonesia is seeking increased investment from Nigerian businesses in renewable energy, waste management, manufacturing and agriculture.

She added that bilateral trade should go beyond Nigeria importing Indonesian products to include Nigerian exports and investments in Indonesia.

She also revealed that Indonesia has promised special privileges and incentives to Nigerian investors looking to set up businesses in the Southeast Asian nation, including potential tax benefits and preferential treatment for investment-related processes.

Bilateral trade between Nigeria and Indonesia has consistently exceeded 3 billion dollars annually, according to Suharto. He described Nigeria as one of Indonesia’s foremost trading partners in Africa.

“Our bilateral trade has consistently surpassed USD 3 billion annually, cementing Nigeria’s position as one of Indonesia’s foremost trading partners in Africa,” Suharto said.

The ambassador added that the two countries represent a combined market of more than 550 million people, defined by young populations and substantial natural and human resources.

The 41st Trade Expo Indonesia is scheduled for October 14 to 18, 2026, at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition in BSD City, Tangerang.

The event targets 17.5 billion dollars in transactions with over 1,800 exhibitors and more than 8,092 foreign buyers from 134 countries expected.

For Nigerian businesses, the expo offers opportunities to explore Indonesian products in sectors including food and beverages, agriculture, manufactured goods, fashion, furniture and home decoration.