Nigeria - Bahrain Summit, 2026 - Bridging the Gulf and Africa: The Case for a Nigeria-Bahrain Agro-Commodities Expo By Made in Nigeria Project Office

In the world of international trade, sometimes the most promising partnerships are forged between the most unexpected partners. As Bahrain actively pivots toward Africa, and Nigeria continues its aggressive economic diversification, the stage is being set for a landmark bilateral event: The Nigeria-Bahrain Agro-Commodities and Food Expo.

While the expo is a proposed concept gaining traction following diplomatic engagements, the foundations being laid today suggest it could become a transformative platform for food security, non-oil exports, and a robust bilateral partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Diplomatic Spark: $24.7 Million and a Vision

The momentum for this partnership became tangible in mid-2025. During a pivotal meeting at the Bahrain Chamber, Chairman H.E. Sameer Nass received the Kuwait-based Charge d‘ Affaires of Nigeria to Bahrain, H.E. Murtala Jimoh .

The numbers on the table were a starting point, not a ceiling. Bilateral trade between the two nations stood at $24.7 million in 2024. However, the conversation quickly shifted from what is to what could be. Both parties identified agriculture, agro-processing, and energy as the low-hanging fruit with the highest growth potential.

Ambassador Jimoh painted a picture of a Nigeria transformed by economic reformsa nation ripe for foreign investment and eager to showcase its productive capacity. The solution proposed was structural: a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bahrain Chamber and its Nigerian counterpart to facilitate direct business linkages, delegation exchanges, and crucially, joint business events .

Why an Agro-Commodities Expo?

An expo focused on agriculture and food is the perfect vehicle to translate this diplomatic goodwill into commercial reality for several reasons:

1. Food Security is a Shared Goal

For Bahrain, a Gulf nation with limited arable land, food security is a strategic imperative. Sourcing high-quality, reliable food products is not just a business opportunity; it is a national priority. Nigeria, with its vast savannas and arable land, presents itself as a solution. An expo allows Bahraini buyers to see, sample, and secure contracts for Nigerian commodities directly from the source.

2. Showcasing Nigeria’s Agricultural Bounty

Nigeria is more than just oil. It is one of the world's largest producers of cassava, yams, and sorghum. It boasts thriving sectors in cocoa, sesame seeds, ginger, and hibiscus (popular for Zobo drinks). A dedicated expo in Bahrain would serve as a grand exhibition of this diversity, moving beyond raw commodities to include agro-processed goods, flours, oils, spices, and finished foods that carry higher value and create more jobs back home.

3. Opening the Gulf Corridor

Bahrain serves as a sophisticated gateway to the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market, which has a high demand for halal-certified and high-quality food products. A successful expo in Manama could position Nigeria as a preferred supplier to the entire Gulf region, diversifying Nigeria's export destinations away from traditional Western markets.

The Expected Outcomes: More Than Just a Trade Fair

If realized, the Nigeria-Bahrain Agro-Commodities and Food Expo would aim to deliver concrete results:

• Direct B2B Linkages: Facilitating meetings between Nigerian producers and Bahraini importers, distributors, and supermarket chains.

• Investment in Agro-Processing: Encouraging Bahraini investors to look at Nigeria not just as a source of raw materials, but as a destination for setting up agro-processing factories, creating jobs, and adding value locally.

• Policy and Logistics Dialogues: Bringing together regulators to discuss phytosanitary standards, halal certification, and logistics, the nuts and bolts that make trade flow smoothly.

A Partnership for the Future

The vision being championed by Ambassador Jimoh and embraced by Chairman Nass reflects a modern approach to economic diplomacy. It recognizes that Nigeria, under its "Nigeria First" policy and economic reforms, is actively seeking partners who see the country as a production hub.

For Bahrain, it is an opportunity to secure a stake in the future of Africa’s largest economy. As the Bahrain Chamber noted, building ties with emerging economies like Nigeria is part of a broader vision to diversify trade partners and open up new global corridors.

Conclusion

The Nigeria-Bahrain Agro-Commodities and Food Expo is more than a concept; it is the logical next step in a relationship that has moved from cordial greetings to strategic intent. By focusing on agriculture, the sector where Nigeria's natural advantages meet Bahrain's strategic needs, this expo could become the flagship event that finally diversifies bilateral trade beyond the $24.7 million mark and into the billions.

As the proposed MoU takes shape and planning begins, one thing is clear: the foundation for a thriving partnership has been laid. Now, it is time for the entrepreneurs, farmers, and businesses of both nations to build upon it.