Thessa Bagu
Managing Director
About Commercium Africa
Commercium Africa supports international organisations seeking credible, practical, and commercially effective engagement across African markets.
We combine advisory expertise, operational execution, stakeholder engagement, and local market understanding to help clients move from strategy to implementation.
Who We Are
Built for Long-Term Market Engagement
Commercium Africa helps international organisations build practical, credible, and commercially useful presence across African markets.
Our work spans trade development, investment support, stakeholder engagement, local operations, events, and market representation across multiple sectors.
By combining strategic guidance with operational capacity on the ground, we help clients move beyond exploratory conversations toward meaningful implementation and commercial growth.
Commercium Africa was established in 2022 and operated as Naijalink between 2009 and 2022.
Leadership
Experienced Leadership with Deep Local Understanding
Originally from the Netherlands and based in Nigeria for nearly two decades, Thessa Brongers Bagu has extensive experience supporting international organisations, companies, trade agencies, and institutions engaging African markets.
Through Commercium Africa, she has supported projects ranging from export development and trade missions to local market establishment and operational representation.
Thessa is also a Director at EuroCham Nigeria, where she leads the Industry, Trade & Investment Working Group, and regularly contributes to discussions around trade, investment, and private sector engagement in Nigeria and across Africa.
She is a frequent speaker, moderator, and contributor at international conferences, business forums, and trade events focused on African markets and cross-border commercial engagement.
Team
Locally Grounded. Internationally Oriented.
Commercium Africa combines the responsiveness and tailored support of a boutique advisory firm with the operational capacity and network depth required to execute complex projects across African markets.
Our team combines strong local market understanding with international exposure and cross-cultural experience, bridging global business expectations with the practical realities of operating across African markets.
Ayo Salawu
Head of Market Entry
Bunmi Odeleye
Head, Trade Missions & Events
Michael Agboola
Head of Digital and Creatives
Ibukun Magbagbeola
Head of People Operations
Strategic Partnerships
Working Through Strong International Partnerships
Commercium Africa regularly collaborates with international advisory firms, trade specialists, development organisations, and sector-focused partners to support projects across Africa.
These collaborations allow us to combine local execution capacity with international sector expertise, creating stronger outcomes for clients operating across trade, investment, education, and market development.
Flanders Investment and Trade
Enterprise Ireland
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Invest NIWhat our clients are saying
"We came to Commercium Africa with a strategy on paper and left with a credible presence on the ground. Their team understood our objectives from day one and translated them into real relationships with the right stakeholders."
"What stood out was how fast they moved without cutting corners. Within weeks, we had market intelligence that would have taken us months to gather independently, and it was accurate."
"As a local partner, I have seen many foreign organisations struggle to build trust here. Commercium Africa bridges that gap naturally, speaking the language of both sides."
Ready to Strengthen Your Presence in Africa?
Whether you are exploring opportunities for the first time or looking to deepen your existing footprint, Commercium Africa can support your next phase of engagement across the continent.