Trade tops the agenda as Germany's Scholz meets Nigerian leader on West Africa trip
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu as part of a West Africa tour as the European country looks to diversify its trade partners and expand economic partnerships in the energy-rich region
ABUJA, Nigeria — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Sunday to discuss trade and investment opportunities during a West Africa tour, as the European country looks to diversify its trade partners and expand economic partnerships in the energy-rich region.
In his third trip to Africa since he took office in 2021, and his second this year, Scholz pushed for further development of Nigeria's capacity to meet local needs even as Germany seeks improved trade relations with its second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. Germany-Nigeria trade volume is estimated to be about 3 billion euros annually.
Major aspects of the two countries' cooperation include working with Nigeria to help tackle regional and global issues such as migration, security and rampant coups in West and Central Africa, Scholz told Tinubu during their meeting in the capital of Abuja.
“There are a lot of chances not just from gas and oil… but for better using the capacities of your country, but also for going into investments for the future, which is about hydrogen,” said Scholz. Experts have described Africa as a potential exporter of hydrogen energy amid calls for energy transition.
The German leader, who has come under enormous domestic pressure to address issues related to migration to Germany, suggested “co-management (of the issue) which is benefiting the two countries the best.”
A framework is also being developed with the European Union to improve migration and ensure among other
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