The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun has announced an economic cooperation between Nigeria and China.
This the Minister dis during the inaugural China-Nigeria Economic Cooperation and Trade Conference, held alongside the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
One of the conference’s standout outcomes was the signing of a $3.3 billion agreement to develop the Brass Industrial Park and Methanol Complex, a transformative project expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s industrial output and generate vital employment opportunities.
The Minister stated that this commitment is set towards deepening economic cooperation, strengthening bilateral ties and fostering sustainable development.
In his keynote address, he underscored the significance of South-South cooperation, highlighting its pivotal role in Nigeria’s sustainable development goals.
As chair of the event, he also guided discussions that focused on critical areas of collaboration between the two nations. He said:
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is dedicated to fostering a business-friendly environment that attracts increased investment, particularly in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and industry.
“Infrastructure development, a cornerstone of the China-Nigeria partnership is a major focus of the discussions.
“Both nations have reiterated commitment to joint infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and energy systems, aimed at accelerating industrialization and driving long-term economic growth in Nigeria.”
Financial and security cooperation also took center stage, with both countries agreeing to enhance intelligence sharing to combat money laundering and financial crimes. This marked a critical step toward ensuring a secure and transparent financial environment, laying the groundwork for continued economic collaboration.
The Finance Minister stressed the importance of leveraging both domestic resources and international partnerships, such as those with China, to ensure that these collaborations deliver tangible benefits to the Nigerian people.
He stated that:
“Key infrastructure and security initiatives are seen as pivotal to achieving Nigeria’s economic objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, while also advancing China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
“As the curtains close on this groundbreaking conference, Nigeria and China emerge as beacons of hope for a brighter economic future, especially as the conference concluded with a strong mutual commitment to ongoing engagement, open dialogue, and reinforced cooperation.
“With the signing of the $3.3 billion Brass Industrial Park and Methanol Complex agreement, the stage is set for transformative growth, job creation, and sustainable development.”
This historic partnership will undoubtedly propel Nigeria’s economic agenda forward while reinforcing China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
