By Joy Enamuna

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) is set to host a high-level breakfast meeting to explore the Nigeria-China Currency Swap Deal, bringing together key players in the import, export, and maritime sectors.

Scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Rockview Hotel in Apapa, Lagos, the event will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.

Themed “Navigating the Nigeria–People’s Republic of China Currency Swap: Opportunities and Challenges for Import, Export, and Maritime Business,” the meeting is expected to attract wide participation from both the public and private sectors, including representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria.

MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, emphasized that the forum is in line with the association’s mandate as a watchdog of the maritime industry.

He stated that the meeting aims to ensure Nigerian business stakeholders are well-informed and positioned to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the currency swap arrangement.

The Nigeria-China currency swap agreement is designed to promote bilateral trade by easing access to local currencies—providing Yuan liquidity to Nigerian businesses and Naira liquidity to Chinese counterparts—thereby reducing overdependence on foreign currencies such as the U.S. dollar.

Mr. Bivbere noted that the event will provide a platform for stakeholders to critically examine the implications of the swap deal, especially amidst ongoing fluctuations in the global currency market.

The goal, he said, is to enhance understanding of the agreement and explore how it can benefit players in the import-export and maritime value chains.

In addition to officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Chinese Embassy, notable industry groups including the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, importers, exporters, and trade associations are expected to be in attendance.

Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju, Chairman of the Customs Consultative Council, will serve as the Chairman of the Breakfast Meeting.

Also confirmed to attend are members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and other key maritime stakeholders.

According to MARAN, the session promises to deliver critical insights that will help stakeholders navigate both the opportunities and challenges presented by the currency swap framework.