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Matchmaking

Business Matchmaking

Curated introductions between businesses, investors, buyers, lenders, governments and strategic partners — based on fit, readiness and mutual consent.

From introductions to investable relationships.

Networking events leave you with business cards; matchmaking leaves you with the right conversation. You tell us who you need to meet and why, we look for genuine commercial fit across the NiDCC network, and we introduce both sides only when both agree. The aim is fewer, better meetings — with people who have the authority and the interest to act.

Apply for Matchmaking See how it works
Mutual consent
Fit over volume
Confidential
Who it's for

Built for people who need the right counterpart.

Matchmaking works in both directions — whoever you are, someone in the network is looking for you.

Businesses & SMEs

Seeking capital, buyers, distributors, suppliers or a partner to enter a new market.

Investors & lenders

Looking for credible companies and projects that match their sector, stage and ticket size.

Buyers & distributors

Sourcing reliable suppliers and products, or new lines to carry into their markets.

Governments & institutions

Seeking private-sector partners, investors and expertise for programmes and projects.

Diaspora professionals

Bringing capital, skills or networks home and looking for the right ventures to back.

Objectives

What matchmaking can help you do.

Raise capital or finance
Find a buyer or distributor
Source products and services
Identify a market-entry or joint-venture partner
Meet government or institutional stakeholders
Access technology, expertise or licensing
Explore real estate, infrastructure or development opportunities
Build a long-term strategic relationship
Process

How it works, step by step.

Nothing is shared and no one is contacted until both parties have said yes.
  1. Step 01

    Profile

    Tell us about your organization, decision authority and commercial objective.

  2. Step 02

    Readiness

    Provide the information required for basic eligibility and readiness screening.

  3. Step 03

    Matching

    NiDCC reviews potential alignment by sector, market, transaction type and capacity.

  4. Step 04

    Mutual consent

    Both parties must approve an introduction before contact details are shared.

  5. Step 05

    Facilitated meeting

    Suitable applicants may receive a scheduled meeting, briefing or warm introduction.

  6. Step 06

    Follow-through

    Participants record agreed next steps and may request limited facilitation support.

Where it happens

Introductions, in the right setting.

  • One-to-one introductionsA warm introduction by email or call, with context for both sides.
  • Summit meetings and deal roomsScheduled conversations at the Annual Summit and NiDCC events.
  • Trade missions and delegationsMeetings arranged with counterparts in the markets you visit.
  • Sector roundtablesSmall-group sessions with peers and decision-makers in one industry.
A strong request

What helps us find your match.

  • Who you are, and your role and authority to decide
  • Exactly who you want to meet — the type of organization and the market
  • What you want to achieve, and on what kind of timeline
  • What you bring to the other side: capital, product, access or expertise
  • Your stage, size and any material already prepared

Example request

"We process and package cashew in Ogun State and hold export certification. We want to meet two or three established importers or distributors in Western Europe to supply from next harvest."

Principles

How we handle every match.

Mutual consent

No introduction is made and no contact details are shared until both parties agree.

Confidentiality

What you share is used to find a match and handled under our Privacy Policy.

Fit over volume

We would rather propose one relevant meeting than ten that waste your time.

No guarantees

Outcomes depend on fit, readiness, availability, consent and each party's own assessment.

No guarantee

A ticket, membership or application does not guarantee a match, meeting, funding, partnership, contract or transaction. Decisions depend on fit, readiness, availability, consent and independent assessment.
Questions

Common questions about matchmaking.

Do I need to be a member to apply?
No — anyone can apply using the form below. Membership brings wider access to the network, events and programmes where many introductions happen.
How is a match decided?
The team looks for alignment in sector, market, transaction type and capacity, and for the authority and readiness to act on both sides. If there is no credible fit yet, we will tell you rather than force an introduction.
Will the other party see my details straight away?
No. A counterpart sees enough to decide whether they want an introduction. Contact details are exchanged only once both sides agree.
What happens after the introduction?
The conversation is yours. Participants record agreed next steps, may request limited facilitation support, and carry out their own due diligence and negotiations.
Apply for matchmaking

Tell us who you're trying to reach.

Suitable applicants may receive a scheduled meeting, briefing or warm introduction. Both parties must consent before contact details are shared.

  • Who you are and your role
  • Who you want to meet, and where
  • What you want to achieve together

By submitting, you consent to NiDCC processing this information to administer your enquiry, in accordance with the Privacy Policy.