Nigeria and China Elevate Bilateral Relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Permanent Secretary, FMITI Ambassador Nuru Abba Rimi having a hand shake with H.E. Mrs WU Jing in a photograph after the meeting.

..... Aims At Strengthening Trade, Digital Economy, and Regional Collaboration.

                      

Abuja-  In a landmark high-level meeting, the Federal Government of Nigeria has held a meeting with the Republic of China, in its efforts to further deepen their long standing friendship.

The meeting which took place at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Abuja, is to officially elevate the friendship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the September 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. 

This milestone underscores the commitment of both nations to expanding bilateral ties, fostering economic opportunities, and advancing regional cooperation.

The event had senior Nigerian officials led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi who engaged with a delegation from Zhejiang Province, China, led by Her Excellency Mrs. Wu Jing, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress.

Amb. Nuru Abba Rimi, the delegation of The People's Congress of Zhejiang Province, led by H.E. Mrs WU JING, FMITI Directors n a photograph after the meeting.

According to a statement issued and signed by Dr. Adebayo Thomas, Director Press and Public Relations of the FMITI, "the discussions focused on practical cooperation and broadening engagement across key sectors, including textiles, infrastructure, digital trade, fintech, hospitality, tourism, renewable energy, and the creative economy".

At the meeting, Amb. Rimi highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China policy and the strengthening of ties through platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and FOCAC. 

Drawing parallels between Nigeria’s 8-point agenda and Zhejiang’s Double Eight Strategy, Rimi emphasised the importance of regional cooperation across Nigeria’s geo-political zones to drive economic growth.

At the engagement which focused majorly on digital trade, Ambassador Rimi underscored Nigeria’s leadership in fintech innovation in Africa, citing that five of Africa’s nine unicorn companies are headquartered in Nigeria. He expressed optimism about leveraging this strength for deeper cooperation in digital economy development, technological investment, and talent exchange.

Ambassador Rimi encouraged broader Chinese investment in Nigeria’s renewable energy and hospitality sectors and invited deeper sub-national collaborations.

Mrs. Wu Jing reaffirmed Zhejiang’s commitment to mutually beneficial and pragmatic cooperation with Nigeria. She highlighted the province's position as a trailblazer in China’s economic reforms, with a regional GDP of 9 trillion yuan in 2024, and home to tech giants like Alibaba. 

She noted that 1,417 Zhejiang enterprises have invested approximately $320.3 million in Nigeria, while 438 Nigerian businesses have invested $117.5 million in Zhejiang. Furthermore, she invited Nigerian stakeholders to participate in trade expos and digital forums, including the upcoming Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou.

Both parties expressed a strong desire to continue dialogue beyond this symbolic meeting, pledging to establish formal channels for exploring strategic investment areas. 

This historic engagement solidifies the foundation for a mutually beneficial Nigeria-Zhejiang partnership, advancing economic, technological, and cultural exchanges under the framework of South-South cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative.