Germany Partners with Nigeria to Strengthen African Trade

Germany has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria as a strategic partner in sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to deepen trade, energy, and migration collaboration. The renewed partnership was highlighted following high-level bilateral talks between German officials and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in Berlin. Germany’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Johann Wadephul, emphasized Nigeria’s importance as Germany’s second-largest trading partner in Africa. According to Wadephul, the relationship between both nations is based on mutual respect and shared goals for sustainable development. “Nigeria is a key partner in Africa,” he said, adding that Berlin is particularly keen on expanding cooperation in renewable energy, vocational training, and economic diversification

Focus on Energy, Migration, and Trade

A central aspect of the discussions was the progress of the German-Nigerian Energy Partnership, established in 2008 and expanded in 2021 with the launch of a hydrogen office in Abuja. This move aligns with Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy, aiming to support a green energy transition across partner nations.

Minister Tuggar highlighted Nigeria’s significant demographic and economic potential, pointing out that with over 220 million citizens expected to grow to 400 million by 2050, the country’s aim is to “export talent, not people.” This vision aligns with Germany’s interest in creating structured migration pathways that provide skills mobility and job creation opportunities in both countries.

Tuggar also stressed Nigeria’s abundance of critical raw materials, which he believes can be key in supporting Germany’s industrial and green transition goals. “If developed through value-added partnerships, our minerals can lay a foundation for shared, sustainable growth,” he noted

Pathways for Legal Migration and Economic Growth

Both ministers agreed to focus on developing legal migration frameworks, ensuring that skilled migration benefits both Germany and Nigeria. This includes formal training programs, knowledge exchange, and job creation in sectors such as technology, agriculture, and energy. On the sidelines of the visit, Tuggar held several meetings, including with Nicolas Zippelius, Chair of the CDU Parliamentary Group on Development Affairs, and Lanz Rolla, founder of the Berlin Global Dialogue. These meetings aimed to strengthen Nigeria–Germany cooperation in economic development, legal migration, and global engagement. A high point of the visit was a bilateral meeting with Svenja Radovan, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. Their talks focused on expanding development partnerships and aligning migration policies with economic goals. The ministers also discussed legislative opportunities for enhanced collaboration, which could lead to policy action within the German Bundestag. This engagement marks a renewed chapter in Nigeria–Germany relations, centered on economic cooperation, sustainable development, and regional stability.