Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrapped up a two-day visit to Nigeria, emphasizing the need to deepen business opportunities across Africa. This comes amid growing isolationism in the United States and geopolitical pressures from Russia and China. Wadephul called for'strengthening trade and investment' during a meeting with Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Abuja.
Accompanying Wadephul, Green party member of parliament Claudia Roth highlighted the urgency of finding new partners, stating, 'in this world I think desperately, we need new partners... against the warlords in politics, against these Trumps and Putins and Xis.' The visit follows diplomatic and trade tensions between the United States and Europe, exacerbated by US President Donald Trump's global trade policies and threats to NATO stability.
Europe faces economic pressure from what it deems unfair Chinese trade practices, while Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year. China and Russia have been expanding their economic and security ties in Africa, respectively. Wadephul, on his third Africa trip this year, believes the potential for economic partnership with Nigeria is 'far from exhausted,' particularly in information technology and the start-up sector.
Bilateral trade between Germany and Nigeria grew by around 10 percent last year. Wadephul identified 'critical raw materials, renewable energy and the pharmaceutical industry' as areas ripe for growth. He also praised Nigeria's recent economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu, which have liberalized the naira exchange rate, overhauled the tax code, and removed a costly fuel subsidy.
Despite Germany's reduced foreign aid budget, Wadephul promised continued security and humanitarian cooperation. Roth emphasized the need for ongoing humanitarian aid, particularly in Mauritania, which is grappling with hundreds of thousands of refugees from neighboring Mali. She stressed that Germany's approach to Africa is one of mutual learning, saying, 'we do not know anything better, we have to learn from you.'
