Beijing’s foreign minister held talks with the African nation in Abuja on Thursday
Nigeria and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in key areas, including security, trade, clean energy, and finance. The move comes at a time when the West African country is suffering from its worst cost-of-living crisis in years.
The commitment was made on Thursday following talks between Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, who was visiting Africa’s most populous nation.
The trip to Abuja was part of a four-nation tour of Africa by Wang, where Beijing’s influence has been a source of concern for its Western rivals. The minister began his trip on Monday, stopping in Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, and Chad.
“China will firmly support Africans in addressing African issues in the African way, African people are the real masters of this continent,” Wang said after talks with Tinubu.
China has remained Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner over the last two decades. The continent’s trade volume with Beijing has reached a record $282.1 billion, with Chinese direct investment exceeding $40 billion.
Nigeria is one of China’s main trade partners in sub-Saharan Africa, and exports gas and oil, while importing manufactured goods. According to the Nigerian government’s estimates, turnover between the two countries reached $22.6 billion in 2023.
During the China-Africa cooperation summit last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with about 50 African leaders and promised the continent $50 billion in aid over three years.
On Thursday, Nigeria’s president thanked Beijing for “contributing to African growth” but asked it to increase the $50 billion aid package because the continent’s “infrastructural needs would require more commitment.”
“We want to move as rapidly as our other counterparts. Africa values the relationship with China, and we seek deeper collaboration for infrastructural development,” he told Foreign Minister Wang.
Tinubu additionally requested the Chinese government expand a $2 billion currency swap agreement between Abuja and Beijing.
In response, Wang said China would “favorably study and consider” Nigeria’s request, and support Abuja’s bid to join BRICS.
He also pledged Chinese support for a permanent seat for Africa on the UN Security Council, describing the continent’s lack of representation as “a historical injustice by the world that should be corrected.”
“We will continue to support Nigeria in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda, countering terrorism and ensuring regional security,” the diplomat said.
