President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja for Berlin, Germany, on Saturday to attend the G20 Compact with Africa Conference on November 20, 2023.
The conference, hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, will run alongside the Fourth G20 Investment Summit, co-hosted by the German government and business associations.
A statement from Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, outlined the focus of the conference as energy, trade, and investment. The President, along with Heads of State and Governments from Compact with Africa (CwA) member countries, bilateral partners, and international organizations, will deliberate on measures to enhance economic and business cooperation. The discussions aim to boost investments in critical sectors such as energy, trade, infrastructure, and new technologies.
President Tinubu’s participation in the investment summit aligns with his commitment to promoting foreign direct investment in Nigeria. The visit also demonstrates diplomatic reciprocity, as it follows the German Chancellor’s visit to Abuja and Lagos in late October.
During his discussions with Chancellor Scholz in October, President Tinubu emphasized the need for increased German investment in Nigeria, particularly in sectors like transportation, mining, and energy. Nigeria, as Germany’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, aims to strengthen economic ties with Germany.
Accompanying President Tinubu on the trip are key ministers, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; and Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
This visit marks President Tinubu’s 10th foreign destination since assuming office about six months ago. Previous destinations include France, London, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Benin Republic, India, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, and Saudi Arabia.
The Nigerian delegation aims to build on productive meetings with German business organizations conducted during the German Chancellor’s official delegation to Nigeria. President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria following the conclusion of the G20 Compact with Africa Conference.