EXIM signs MoU with Mastercard, the Nigerian BoI during the first business summit

President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), Reta Jo Lewis, today signed two new Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) during EXM’s inaugural Global Business Development Summit in Washington DC

The summit, which takes place on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aims to promote connections, explore solutions and improve access to finance for businesses around the world.

The first MOU chairman Lewis signed was with the Nigerian Bank of Industry, together with Dr. Olasupo Olusi, CEO of the Bank of Industry, to encourage collaboration and identify projects that increase economic prosperity between Nigeria and the United States.

The MOU will focus on mutual collaboration to explore new projects in Nigeria involving the procurement of American goods and services in various sectors, including climate and sustainability, creative arts and entertainment, infrastructure, technology, and small business and enterprise opportunities owned by women. .

“This MOU is a symbol of EXIM’s commitment to deepening relationships with partners in Nigeria to strengthen the US-Nigeria commercial relationship and strengthen our two countries’ economies and support jobs,” said Chairman Lewis. “Supporting U.S. exports to sub-Saharan Africa is one of our agency’s central mandates, and we are excited about the new opportunities that could result from this MOU.”

The second MOU Chairman Lewis signed today was with Mastercard, joining Shamina Singh, Founder and President of the Center for Inclusive Growth and EVP, Sustainability at Mastercard, to encourage partnership opportunities to support small businesses.

The MOU will focus on identifying opportunities for EXIM and Mastercard to collaborate in various areas, including financial support and education programs for small business owners; promotion of EXIM programs; collaborative initiatives and joint commitments; customized solutions for small businesses; and networks and partnerships facilitated by both parties.

“EXIM is committed to forging new partnerships to meet our mandate and support U.S. small business exporters,” said EXIM Chairman Lewis. “We are proud to sign this MOU with Mastercard and are eager to see what new partnership opportunities to help American small businesses grow and expand through exports can emerge from this historic partnership.”

“At Mastercard, we want to take small businesses to the next level, as they are the engine of our country’s economy,” said Shamina Singh, Founder and President of the Center for Inclusive Growth and EVP, Sustainability at Mastercard. “This partnership with EXIM will allow us to support education and solutions and further unlock financing solutions in the U.S., leading to increased job creation and greater prosperity for small businesses and their communities.”

“Today’s signing ceremony marks the beginning of a strong strategic partnership through which EXIM Bank and BOI would advance the objective of facilitating the procurement of U.S. goods and services for projects in Nigeria through the provision of medium to long-term guarantees and/or direct loans to finance US exports to various sectors,” said Dr. Olasupo Olusi MD/CEO Bank of Industry. “We look forward to exploring more partnership opportunities to catalyze sustainable industrial and entrepreneurial growth in Nigeria.”