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Enterprise Ireland aims to grow export sales to the region by 60% to €600m by 2018

Today, contracts worth over €50 million for Enterprise Ireland client companies were among the initial results of the West African Trade Mission, led by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney in Lagos.
A significant number of strong leads for potential sales by Irish exporting companies were also identified during the 4-day, 3-city mission involving 7 networking events in both Nigeria and Ghana.

Enterprise Ireland aims to grow export sales to the region by 60% to €600m by 2018. The two countries have a combined population of over 200 million with Nigeria having the biggest economy in Africa and the 20th largest economy in the world.
Companies who signed contracts today included the Institute of Education; water treatment specialist EPS Group; Hybrid Energy Solutions which specialises in the design of hybrid power generating systems; EDC Engineering Design Consultants and ACE Control Systems, a supplier of Building Energy Management Systems.

Speaking from Nigeria, Minister Coveney said “This mission is about increasing the profile of Ireland in Nigeria and developing trade and business opportunities across a broad range of goods and services. I am delighted to have been in a position to assist the efforts of these ambitious and dynamic Irish companies, accumulating in over €50m worth of contracts being signed here today and there will I hope be more success stories in the coming days as we continue this trade mission”.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said “We are delighted that this Trade Mission has resulted in contracts worth in the region of €50m for Enterprise Ireland client companies. The objectives of the Trade Mission are to build strong economic links with West Africa and in particular, Nigeria and Ghana and to take advantage of the market demand in this fast growing region. From education to energy, and water treatment to engineering design, Irish companies are competing for lucrative contracts in global markets, and winning. The breadth of sectors represented in the contracts announced here are a testament to the competence of Irish innovation and to the strength of Irish business links with Africa, which have been developed on this trade mission. We look forward to supporting client companies in further developing these relationships and expanding market share in the region over the coming years which will result in more job creation at home in Ireland".