German foreign minister to visit Nigeria for talks on trade, security
Germany’s Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, will begin a two-day official visit to Nigeria on Tuesday as part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic, economic and security cooperation between both countries.
A statement by the German Embassy said Wadephul, who is on his third visit to Africa this year, will be accompanied by members of the German parliament, chief executives and senior officials from German information technology and energy companies.
The delegation will begin its visit in Abuja, where the minister is expected to meet with the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Touray, and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
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He will also attend a business roundtable involving German and Nigerian companies to discuss trade, investment and other areas of economic cooperation. The visit will also include meetings with civil society representatives and cultural practitioners.
The delegation will later travel to Lagos to continue engagements aimed at expanding economic and cultural relations between both countries.
The German Embassy described Nigeria as one of Germany’s most important partners in Africa, noting that both countries share common interests in economic development, energy transition, regional peace and security.
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The visit forms part of Wadephul’s three-country African tour, which includes Mauritania, Nigeria and South Africa. According to the embassy, the trip reflects Germany’s commitment to strengthening partnerships across the continent.
Ahead of the visit, Wadephul said Africa and Europe remain closely connected through political, economic and security ties, adding that stronger cooperation with African countries is important in the face of changing global geopolitical realities.