Nigeria Moves to Fast-Track Implementation of FOCAC Agreements with China
By The People’s Voice Nigeria News
The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified efforts to expedite the actualization of agreements made during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to China. An inter-ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs marked a key step in advancing these commitments, aiming to convert memoranda of understanding (MOUs) into tangible projects that drive national development.
The meeting, chaired by Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director of Regions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought together representatives from various ministries and agencies. Discussions focused on Nigeria’s strategic priorities, including agriculture, digital economy, and infrastructure. A particular emphasis was placed on securing $10 billion from China’s $51 billion green infrastructure fund to propel sustainable development in the country.
Judy Melifonwu of NCSP, Joseph Tegbe, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership NCSP; Amb Janet Olisa, Director of Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr Felix Obidi of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the inter-ministerial meeting on implementation of the FOCAC agreement recently
Bottlenecks in implementation, such as Nigeria’s reliance on raw commodity exports, were addressed with actionable resolutions, including submitting roadmaps, forming implementation committees, and resolving outstanding MOU discrepancies. The meeting highlighted the importance of transitioning to value-added exports and strengthening legal frameworks to facilitate investment.
Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe, outlined NCSP’s critical role in ensuring MOUs translate into projects that create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for Nigerians. Ambassador Olisa emphasized the significance of leveraging the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership in line with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The partnership, envisioned to accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation, relies on cohesive inter-ministerial collaboration to drive economic diversification. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled in two weeks to review progress on the outlined goals.
As Nigeria deepens its ties with China, the implementation of these agreements promises to foster sustainable growth and bring widespread benefits to the nation.