Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade and economic relations with Nigeria and other African countries through the expanding global halal economy.
Chairman of the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Reezal Merican, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, September 23. He described Africa as an important market for Malaysian businesses and expressed hope that more Nigerian companies would participate in future editions of the trade exhibition.
Merican said the halal economy extended beyond religious considerations to areas such as cleanliness, authenticity, traceability, hygiene and sustainability. He noted that the 2026 International Sourcing Programme brought together about 450 international buyers and 600 Malaysian exporters, with more than 4,000 business-to-business meetings scheduled.
He said the programme covered sectors including food and beverages, specialised ingredients, biotechnology, Islamic finance, logistics and education. He also highlighted the use of artificial intelligence to match buyers with exhibitors based on their procurement needs and urged developers to include African languages such as Hausa, Yoruba, Wolof and Swahili to improve accessibility.
MATRADE Marketing Manager in Lagos, Mr Umar Abdul, said the organisation was exploring a possible MIHAS franchise in Nigeria, with Lagos, Abuja and Kano among locations being considered. He said the initiative could help Nigerian businesses connect with Malaysian and international companies without travelling to Malaysia.
Abdul identified commodities such as palm oil, cocoa, soybeans, ginger and turmeric as areas with potential for stronger Nigeria-Malaysia trade. He said improved business-to-business connections could expand market access, create jobs and deepen commercial relations between both countries.
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