BALTIMORE (AP) — A Maryland agency has announced the opening of the state's first trade office in Africa.

The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development announced Wednesday that the trade office will be based in Nigeria.

The department says it will operate entirely on a contingency basis. That means funding will be based solely on the ability of office representatives to attract companies and jobs to Maryland.

The office will be run by Grid2Grid, based in Washington. It will provide additional support to Maryland businesses that are looking to export to that region while seeking potential foreign direct investors.