MTN Nigeria Chief Financial Officer Modupe Kadri has urged Nigerian businesses to move away from relying on favourable local policies and build the capacity to compete with companies in international markets.
Kadri made the call at the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) breakfast forum held at Eko Hotel & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.
He said businesses seeking sustained growth must strengthen their internal capabilities, improve their standards and focus on delivering value rather than expecting preferential treatment because they are Nigerian.
“Local content must not mean substandard quality, nor should it mean entitlement simply because a company is Nigerian,” Kadri said.
According to him, Nigerian companies must be prepared to compete beyond the domestic market and develop products, services and operational standards that can meet international expectations.
Kadri said stronger partnerships between multinational companies and local suppliers would depend on predictable demand, sound governance and consistent delivery.
He added that local businesses would not secure contracts simply because of nationalism or legal requirements, but because they can demonstrate the technical and operational capacity to deliver value.
“Shared growth is not charity; it is not public relations; it is invited business logic that happens when value circulates through businesses, communities, and governments,” he said.
Kadri also identified technology as a major opportunity for Nigerian businesses seeking to expand their operations.
He said the next phase of local participation would require companies to develop expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and cybersecurity.
According to him, while earlier efforts at building local capacity focused largely on civil infrastructure and basic logistics, businesses must now develop deeper technical capabilities to remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy.
The MTN executive said Nigerian businesses should therefore look beyond domestic patronage and invest in innovation, skills and systems that can help them compete across African and global markets.
The NSACC forum brought together business leaders and corporate executives to discuss ways of strengthening commercial ties between Nigeria and South Africa.
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Industry leaders including Afolabi Sobande, Group Chief Operating Officer of Computer Warehouse Group; Udeme Ufot, Group Managing Director of SO&U; Yemi Chukwurah, CEO of Seams and Stitches; and Ayeni Adekunle, CEO of BlackHouse Media, attended the event.
Participants also shared experiences of how structured corporate procurement and partnerships with larger companies helped their businesses grow from small-scale operations into more established brands.
Stakeholders at the forum said Nigeria’s long-term industrial growth would require patient capital, transparent access to corporate opportunities and continuous investment in skills.
Founded in May 2000, the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce promotes trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries and provides a platform for businesses to develop commercial partnerships.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
