After staying in Milan for another two days, Zhang Yida and his party took a private plane to Nigeria.
This is the first time Zhang Yida has set foot on African soil.
Although it feels strange, Ruixiang’s African business unit has actually been rooted here for several years.
Musical.ly has offices in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and other countries.
In addition, in Africa, there are also joint venture companies established by Ruixiang and Transsion Holdings, including Chuanrui Financial Services, Chuangrui Music, etc.
As soon as we got off the plane, we were greeted by Chuanrui Financial Services staff and local government officials who were waiting here.
Knowing that Zhang Yida would come to Nigeria, the country's business and science and technology departments were extremely excited.
Because Jack Ma visited Africa once before and announced that he would hold an African Entrepreneur Competition. The Jack Ma Charity Foundation will invest 10 million US dollars to discover, select and reward these African entrepreneurial heroes of different industries and genders.
The news spread and shocked the whole of Africa!
Unfortunately, it was initiated in South Africa, which made some Nigerian officials regretful.
In their view, Nigeria, the largest country in Africa, is the most suitable country to undertake and host these activities.
It's a pity that Jackma didn't choose them and went to South Africa instead.
Now there is a Chinese entrepreneur who is more powerful than Jack Ma and has more wealth. They must hold on tightly.
The first stop of Zhang Yida's tour of Africa was in Nigeria, which also gave the country's officials a feeling of being valued and respected.
In addition, Ruixiang and Chuanrui Technology also have a lot of technology investments in Africa, and a large part of them are scattered in Nigeria, the most populous country.
Therefore, whether it is to promote Nigeria to hold a similar entrepreneurship competition and steal the limelight from South Africa.
It is also a good opportunity to discuss with Ruixiang to increase investment cooperation.
The Nigerian government attaches great importance to this.
Zhang Yida looked at the huge team that came to greet him. They had different skin colors, some were yellow, some were white, and some were black. Not far away were several teams of black military police with live ammunition.
This is the first time we have encountered this battle.
Zhang Yida had already known in advance from his African staff that officials would come to pick him up, so he wasn't surprised.
There is no major civil strife in Nigeria, but the public security is not good either. Guns are everywhere, and kidnappings and robberies are commonplace.
Twenty or thirty military police were dispatched to protect his safety during his trip in Nigeria, which was also within the scope of normal reception.
As the CEO of Chuan Rui Technology, Cao Lu is in charge of the Internet holding parent group jointly created by Rui Xiang and Transsion, which oversees multiple Internet brands.
After he received the call from Zhang Yida that he was coming to Nigeria, he rushed over without stopping.
After learning about the news, Nigerian officials acted very proactively and made sure to come to the airport to greet Mr. Zhang Yida from Ruixiang Group, a friend of the Nigerian people.
Cao Lu has been in Nigeria for so many years and knows that he wants to show favor to Mr. Zhang so that he can attract investment in the future.
He could not refuse these officials, so after asking Zhang Yida for instructions, he also brought these people over.
Cao Lu took the lead, shook hands with Zhang Yida, and said with a smile: "Welcome Mr. Zhang to Nigeria!"
Then, Cao Lu introduced some of the gangsters around him, all of whom were officials from the science and technology and business departments.
Zhang Yida shook hands with these people one by one and exchanged a few words.
Cao Lu pointed to a white man next to him and introduced: "This is PalmPay CEO Greg Reeves. He previously served as the global head of M-Pesa, the mobile payment business of Kenyan telecom operator Safari. More than 10 years of working experience in the payment field.”
Reeves took two steps forward, smiled and extended his right hand to Zhang Yida, "Hello Mr. Zhang, welcome to beautiful Lagos."
Lan Lan had been responsible for dealing with the CEOs of these overseas e-wallet subsidiaries before. Zhang Yida had heard of Reeves, but this was the first time he met him in reality.
"Are you Reeves?"
Zhang Yida smiled, took the other person's hand and shook it vigorously, "I know you, you did a good job."
After being praised by Zhang Yida, Reeves was not as humble as the Chinese employees, but smiled and thanked Zhang Yida for the praise.
Zhang Yida shook hands with several other joint venture company executives stationed in Africa and got to know everyone present.
Shen Beipeng and Xu Xiaoming also followed Zhang Yida to Europe, and now they were standing beside Zhang Yida with a smile.
Zhang Yida then introduced the two to several African executives and officials, and both parties bowed to each other.
Wang Yiduo saw that even the army was dispatched, so she leaned over and whispered in her sister's ear: "Brother-in-law is really proud of himself!"
Zhao Erya wanted to scare her, so she threatened: "There is still a war here, can we not send troops? I told you not to come, but you just didn't listen."
I have promised you that you are not allowed to leave our sight and stay in the hotel."
Wang Yiduo smiled slyly, "Don't lie to me, it's 9012 and you can find everything online.
Nigeria is not fighting a major war, but small-scale armed conflicts continue.
In the main oil-producing areas of the southeast, armed groups have been attacking foreign oil companies in the area for a long time.
In the central Jos region, where many ethnic groups and religions live together, there have been vendettas and bombings.
There are tribal and religious conflicts in the northern and northeastern regions.
Social security is not very good, but there is no war!
Don't worry, I'm such a big person, I won't run around like a child."
Zhang Yida was chatting with them here. Qian Li, Luo Xiaohu, Qin Lin and other bodyguards followed the military police and gun-wielding security guards hired by Chuanrui Company and began to inspect the vehicle.
Cao Lu noticed this scene and said nothing more.
Luo Xiaohu and others took instruments and carefully inspected several Mercedes-Benz vehicles, not missing a single detail.
There are many bombings in Nigeria. They knew that Zhang Yida would come to this country, so they organized a meeting and raised the security level several levels.
After Luo Xiaohu and the others finished the inspection, Zhang Yida followed the group of people and got into the car.
There are more than a dozen vehicles in the entire convoy, and there are police cars in front and behind to protect and clear the way.
Zhang Yida and Zhao Erya were sitting in the car, looking at the scenery of Lagos through the glass.
Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and most populous country, with a population of nearly 200 million and a per capita GDP of more than 2,000 US dollars.
The largest city in Nigeria is the former capital of Lagos, with a population of 21 million. Its status in the country is comparable to that of a magical city in China, or even greater.
Lagos is a port city with developed commerce and trade, controlling 90% of Nigeria’s foreign trade, 80% of its imports and exports, and 70% of its manufacturing industry.
Chinese companies going overseas to Nigeria are basically concentrated in this area.
Chuanrui's branch in Nigeria is no exception and is also located in Lagos.
According to incomplete statistics, there are more than 100,000 Chinese working in Lagos. They are all small bosses, entrepreneurs who came to Africa to prospect for gold, or employees sent by large domestic companies.
As the motorcade passed by the seaside bridge, Zhang Yida looked out the window at the endless, breathtakingly beautiful blue sea and straight coastline, and quickly called Zhao Erya over to take a look.
“It’s good!”
Zhao Erya commented, then pointed to a pier in the distance and asked: "Look there are many yachts there."
Zhang Yida nodded, "It should have been bought by Nigerian dignitaries and big bosses of foreign companies."
Zhao Erya pointed to the window on her side again and said, "Come and take a look over here."
Zhang Yida stretched his head and saw a row of children and women lined up on the roadside. They were in ragged clothes and unkempt, blocking passers-by and begging.
"Hey, one side is heaven and the other side is hell."