The Lagos State Government, Chinese diplomats, university professors, business operators from Nigeria and China have canvassed the need for the two the countries to keep working together to deepen infrastructure cooperation in key sectors such as transportation, energy, and telecommunications.
The call was made at the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, titled: Jointly Exploring New Paths for China-Nigeria and China-Africa Cooperation organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Chinese Consulate in Lagos, African-China Economic Magazine and Institute of African Studies, Jinhua, China.
At the well-attended event, those who spoke included the Lagos State, Commissioner for Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Ms. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, NIIA Director General Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos Ms. Yan Yuqing, and Director of Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University (IASZNU), Prof. Liu Hongwu.
Others Professor of International Economics Relations/China-Africa Studies and Director of Studies, NIIA Prof. Efem Ubi, Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce Dr. Chinyere Almona, General Manager of China Harbour Lekki Deep Sea Port Company, Mr. Wang Qiang, Editor-in-Chief of the Africa-China Economy MagazineMr. Ikenna Emewu, importers among others.
The consul-general declared that China is ready to continue working together with Nigeria to deepen infrastructure cooperation in major sectors such as transportation, energy, and telecommunications.
She said China is “taking projects like the Lagos-Ibadan Railway, the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, and the Lekki Deepsea Port and so on, as typical examples of our shared success, committed to advancing more flagship projects to take root and deliver tangible results.
“So, the fruits of China-Nigeria practical cooperation will better benefit more and more people and contribute to the stability and prosperity in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”
The envoy added: “China remains committed to high-level opening-up and to creating a more open, fair, and inclusive economic and trade environment, and encourages two-way investment, trade cooperation, and industrial synergy. More Chinese enterprises are encouraged to invest and start businesses in Nigeria, and to push forward the construction of industrial parks, on the successful examples of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, and so on.
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“China will continue to expand market access for Nigerian products, improve visa policies, and make full use of major platforms such as the Canton Trade Fair and the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to inject new momentum into both countries’ economic growth.”
In his welcome address, Prof. Osaghae said since the inaugural conference, which took place in March 2024, the forum has fostered strong bilateral relations, resulting in numerous Memoranda of Understanding between the two governments and elevating their partnership to a more “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
He argued that the deepening in ties have highlighted the effectiveness of the two countries’ collaboration.
“In this dynamic environment, enhancing bilateral engagement is key to strengthening alliances and fostering shared interests. Therefore, Nigeria’s partnership with China, anchored in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), presents an opportunity to reimagine collaboration to align more closely with our development objectives, strategic priorities, and vision for a shared future,” he said.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Cooperatives, Trade and Investment said the event presented not merely a dialogue but a unique convergence of opportunities to fortify economic, cultural, and technological exchanges between Lagos State, Nigeria, and China.
She said Lagos State is tackling energy crisis and availability of finance, adding that it has become Africa’s second largest economy, surpassing the economies of nations such as Ghana and Cameroon and home to more than 25 million vibrant residents.
The commissioner added that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has embarked on transformative projects with global best practices which have propelled Lagos into infrastructural and economic prominence.