China and Nigeria reinforced their expanding partnership on Thursday, outlining a broader vision to advance Africa’s modernisation through strengthened strategic collaboration.
The forum, titled the International Conference (West Africa) Second Post-FOCAC Abuja Forum, took place in Abuja and centred on implementing the ‘Ten Partnership Actions’, announced at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing.
The actions encompass collaboration in infrastructure, trade, green development, health, digital technology, and other key sectors.
Speaking at the forum, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, framed the initiatives as part of a shared development vision between China and Africa.
‘These initiatives aim to catalyse the cause of China-Africa modernisation and elevate the China-Africa community with a shared future to new heights’, Dunhai said.
The envoy noted that tangible progress had already been made in several strategic areas.
‘In just nine months after the FOCAC Beijing Summit, China and Africa have achieved significant progress in implementing the ‘Ten Partnership Actions’, with strengthened strategic mutual trust, deepened practical cooperation, and enhanced multilateral coordination.
‘These developments demonstrate that China-Africa cooperation rests upon a solid foundation, addresses broad shared needs, and possesses immense potential’, he noted.
Dunhai also highlighted recent policy moves made at the FOCAC implementation meeting in Changsha, including China’s removal of tariffs on exports from 53 African countries and an offer of deeper collaboration in emerging industries.
‘China and Africa must anchor ourselves firmly on history’s right side, champion the times’ progress, and counter the global uncertainty with the stability and resilience of China-Africa relations.
‘I am confident that when the 2.8 billion-plus people in China and Africa unite in purpose and stride forward hand in hand, we will achieve glory on our paths toward modernisation, pioneer thriving modernisation across the Global South, play a pivotal role in promoting an equal and orderly multi-polar world and inclusive economic globalisation, and make greater contribution to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind’, he added.
Among specific bilateral milestones, the ambassador pointed to the launch of a lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State and the revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant.
He confirmed China’s readiness to negotiate an Economic Partnership Agreement with Nigeria ‘as early as we can’, to unlock new trade opportunities.
Dunhai also commended Nigeria’s diplomatic posture, referencing its support for the one-China principle and its recent admission into the BRICS bloc.
He acknowledged the appointment of Joseph Tegbe as Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, calling him a ‘steadfast champion’ of bilateral ties.
In his remarks, Tegbe highlighted Nigeria’s pivot toward a more institutionalised, development-driven relationship with China.
‘After FOCAC 2024, Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China elevated their partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
‘This marks a period when we are no longer satisfied with maintaining mere relationships, but strive to build robust development partnerships that are based on mutual trust and respect’, Tegbe stated.
He described the establishment of the NCSP under the Presidency as a critical step in formalising long-term bilateral engagement.
‘This appointment marks a decisive first step in institutionalising a more focused, coordinated, and forward-looking engagement with the People’s Republic of China’, he said.
Tegbe noted that the partnership aligns with both Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The NCSP’s mission, he said, is to foster collaboration in infrastructure, trade, health, technology, agriculture, and education.
He outlined Nigeria’s integration into China’s ‘Ten Partnership Actions’ under FOCAC, pointing out recent benefits such as zero-tariff access for Nigerian exports.
‘This action was implemented about a week ago by the Government of China who removed tariffs on exports from 53 African countries, including Nigeria. Our strategy is to leverage this opportunity in our drive to become a net exporter to China like Brazil’, he said.
Tegbe also detailed upcoming infrastructure initiatives. ‘Nigeria has committed over $8 billion in the last 10 years. Additional projects amounting to over $8 billion have been identified and prioritised in the FOCAC projects’, he stated.
He further cited ongoing collaboration in public health, noting China’s pledge to send 2,000 medical professionals to Africa and invest in hospital alliances—efforts that complement Nigeria’s Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain.
The NCSP, according to Tegbe, has also promoted exchange programmes, green energy ventures, and joint efforts on security.
‘Let me reaffirm the commitment of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, to providing the right environment for the implementation of these partnership actions.
‘Nigeria is well-positioned to receive the next tranche of disbursements from the $51 billion African fund portfolio as we are currently expanding our horizon’, Tegbe concluded.
The Director of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research, Professor Sheriff Ibrahim, declared that China-Africa relations have evolved into ‘a formidable force to break, a concert of giants, a bandwagon of hope and a journey of resilience’.
