Nigeria seeks expanded German investment as trade rises by 10%

Nigeria has called for expanded German investment in key sectors of its economy as Germany disclosed that bilateral trade between the two countries increased by 10 per cent in the past year, with both nations pledging to deepen cooperation in energy, security, critical minerals and regional stability.

The commitment was made on Wednesday during a bilateral meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Johann Wadephul, in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, Wadephul said Nigeria remained Germany’s largest bilateral trading partner in Africa, adding that trade between both countries recorded a 10 per cent increase last year.

The German minister, who was accompanied by senior government officials and business leaders, expressed optimism that the Nigeria-Germany Business Forum would further strengthen commercial relations, adding that his visit would encourage more German companies to invest in Nigeria.

He also reaffirmed Germany’s interest in Nigeria’s energy sector, saying the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission had continued to deliver positive outcomes for both countries.

Wadephul recalled that Germany established its embassy in Lagos just three days after Nigeria gained independence in 1960, describing the relationship between the two countries as a longstanding strategic partnership spanning more than 65 years.

He reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in tackling terrorism, violent extremism and other security challenges confronting the Sahel and West African sub-region.

The German foreign minister also expressed readiness to work closely with his Nigerian counterpart to further strengthen bilateral relations.

Earlier, Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Germany as one of Nigeria’s most important strategic partners in Europe, noting that the bilateral relationship had continued to expand beyond diplomacy into trade and investment, renewable energy, education, science and technology, migration, culture, peace and security.

She said Nigeria remained committed to strengthening the partnership in ways that would deliver concrete benefits for both countries while promoting regional peace, security and sustainable development.

According to her, there is significant potential for greater collaboration in renewable energy, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure development and the green economy.

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The minister said the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission remained the cornerstone of bilateral engagement, adding that the 2025 session of the commission reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation across strategic sectors.

She noted that Nigeria had continued to implement agreements reached during the commission by pursuing economic reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, strengthening governance, expanding private sector participation and promoting sustainable economic growth.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria had also intensified engagement with German institutions and investors while sustaining cooperation on migration management, vocational education, renewable energy and security.

She expressed appreciation for Germany’s longstanding support for ECOWAS, particularly in promoting regional integration, democratic governance, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance and institutional capacity development.

The minister said sustained international partnerships had become increasingly important as West Africa continued to face terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government and transnational organised crime.

She encouraged greater participation by German businesses in Nigeria’s priority sectors, including renewable energy, manufacturing, critical minerals, transport infrastructure, agriculture, digital technology and industrial development.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also called for expanded cooperation in education, research, innovation and technical and vocational training to equip Nigerian youths with the skills needed to compete in the global knowledge economy.