By Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity.
Heads of State, Governments and
delegations from 52 African countries, which includes Nigeria and the
People’s, Republic of China met in Beijing, under the auspices of the
Forum on China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
delegations from 52 African countries, which includes Nigeria and the
People’s, Republic of China met in Beijing, under the auspices of the
Forum on China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The tri-annual summit was held with the
theme: “China and Africa: Towards an Even Stronger Community with a
Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation.”
theme: “China and Africa: Towards an Even Stronger Community with a
Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation.”
President Muhammadu Buhari led a strong
delegation from the public and private sector that included senators,
state governors and the Ministers of Finance, Transportation, Power,
Works and Housing, Budget and National Planning,
Petroleum and Industry, Trade and Investment, and Minister of State,
Aviation.
delegation from the public and private sector that included senators,
state governors and the Ministers of Finance, Transportation, Power,
Works and Housing, Budget and National Planning,
Petroleum and Industry, Trade and Investment, and Minister of State,
Aviation.
The gains for Nigeria from the recent
FOCAC, which alternates its meetings between China and Africa every
three years, can be summed up in three ways: Nigeria as a member of
FOCAC; Nigeria-China bilateral engagement and Nigerian
Government–Chinese business partnerships.
FOCAC, which alternates its meetings between China and Africa every
three years, can be summed up in three ways: Nigeria as a member of
FOCAC; Nigeria-China bilateral engagement and Nigerian
Government–Chinese business partnerships.
At the summit, which attracted multiple
benefits for Nigeria, members agreed to bind themselves to the Belt and
Road Initiative of the Chinese government, which essentially seeks to
promote collectively, among one another, extensive
consultation, cooperation and ensure shared gains.
benefits for Nigeria, members agreed to bind themselves to the Belt and
Road Initiative of the Chinese government, which essentially seeks to
promote collectively, among one another, extensive
consultation, cooperation and ensure shared gains.
Essentially, this translates into closer
connection in policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and
people-to-people ties. All members will share development opportunities
and promote cultural exchanges.
connection in policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and
people-to-people ties. All members will share development opportunities
and promote cultural exchanges.
Going forward, Africa and
China will form a stronger synergy in world bodies such as the UN, World
Trade Organisation and G77+China. They will align themselves in pursuit
of the UN Sustainable
Development Goals, Agenda 2063 of the African Union and support
individual national development strategies.
China will form a stronger synergy in world bodies such as the UN, World
Trade Organisation and G77+China. They will align themselves in pursuit
of the UN Sustainable
Development Goals, Agenda 2063 of the African Union and support
individual national development strategies.
Overall, this should
generate more resources for everyone, expand markets and create space
for African development and broaden its economic prospects. To realise
this, African countries have
agreed to participate in November this year in China’s first-ever
International Import–Export Expo in Shanghai.
generate more resources for everyone, expand markets and create space
for African development and broaden its economic prospects. To realise
this, African countries have
agreed to participate in November this year in China’s first-ever
International Import–Export Expo in Shanghai.
It is important to note
that China has categorically stated their commitment to non-interference
in the internal affairs of members, as well as pledged to support
development efforts without
political strings attached. This should answer mostly Western critics
who doubt the sincerity of China.
that China has categorically stated their commitment to non-interference
in the internal affairs of members, as well as pledged to support
development efforts without
political strings attached. This should answer mostly Western critics
who doubt the sincerity of China.
In line with the general
principles of the accord, Nigeria, with few African countries, were
preferentially treated to bilateral meetings. The Chinese and Nigerian
government met exclusively
to discuss matters of mutual benefits. The leaders of both countries
witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by their foreign
ministers, captured as “One Belt, One Road (OBOR)’’.
principles of the accord, Nigeria, with few African countries, were
preferentially treated to bilateral meetings. The Chinese and Nigerian
government met exclusively
to discuss matters of mutual benefits. The leaders of both countries
witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by their foreign
ministers, captured as “One Belt, One Road (OBOR)’’.
There was the signing of
USD 328 million financing agreement for the National Information and
Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone by the Nigerian
Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi
Adeosun and Wang Xiaotoa, Director-General, China International
Development Cooperation Agency.
USD 328 million financing agreement for the National Information and
Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone by the Nigerian
Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi
Adeosun and Wang Xiaotoa, Director-General, China International
Development Cooperation Agency.
As for more specific
takeaways from the bilateral meetings, Nigeria received blessings of the
President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping for the
building of the country’s largest
hydroelectric power plant in Mambila. Work on the power project will
commence on the site in early 2019.
takeaways from the bilateral meetings, Nigeria received blessings of the
President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping for the
building of the country’s largest
hydroelectric power plant in Mambila. Work on the power project will
commence on the site in early 2019.
When President Xi announced a USD 60
billion to finance aid and infrastructure projects in Africa at the
FOCAC Summit in Johannesburg in 2015, Nigeria joined other countries to
draw from the funds for critical infrastructure that
included railways, roads and power.
billion to finance aid and infrastructure projects in Africa at the
FOCAC Summit in Johannesburg in 2015, Nigeria joined other countries to
draw from the funds for critical infrastructure that
included railways, roads and power.
In the last 24 months, China has given
Nigeria support in scholarships, military trainings and security
assistance, agriculture and concessionary loans to fund infrastructure.
Nigeria has attracted more than USD 5 billion finance
and more is still under discussion with the government of China.
Nigeria support in scholarships, military trainings and security
assistance, agriculture and concessionary loans to fund infrastructure.
Nigeria has attracted more than USD 5 billion finance
and more is still under discussion with the government of China.
With a further USD 60 billion announced
for the next three years by President Xi, Nigeria should hope to make
more progress in closing its infrastructure deficit.
for the next three years by President Xi, Nigeria should hope to make
more progress in closing its infrastructure deficit.
At the Johannesburg summit, President Xi
announced RMB 100 million in humanitarian and military assistance to
Nigeria in the fight against terrorism. At this summit, he promised a
further sum of RMB 50 million for the same purpose.
President Xi promised to open China’s market for agricultural products
from Nigeria and widen cooperation between the two nations in media,
sports and culture. He noted that several Nigerian footballers in China
were idolised by fans. The Chinese leader also
promised to step up cooperation in intelligence and military training.
announced RMB 100 million in humanitarian and military assistance to
Nigeria in the fight against terrorism. At this summit, he promised a
further sum of RMB 50 million for the same purpose.
President Xi promised to open China’s market for agricultural products
from Nigeria and widen cooperation between the two nations in media,
sports and culture. He noted that several Nigerian footballers in China
were idolised by fans. The Chinese leader also
promised to step up cooperation in intelligence and military training.
While commending President Buhari for
taking measures to fight terrorism and insecurity, President Xi said the
Nigerian leader was decisive in dealing with terrorism.
“You are resolute–the same attitude as China,” he said.
taking measures to fight terrorism and insecurity, President Xi said the
Nigerian leader was decisive in dealing with terrorism.
“You are resolute–the same attitude as China,” he said.
President Xi told President Buhari that
he would support the reform of the UN “to increase the voice of
developing countries in Africa”. He equally promised continued support
for Nigeria’s infrastructure projects, citing the country’s
railway modernisation project; Lekki Deep Sea Pot; Zungeru Power
Project; Abuja Light Rail; ICT and infrastructure backbone and Abuja
Water supply as laudable developmental projects.
he would support the reform of the UN “to increase the voice of
developing countries in Africa”. He equally promised continued support
for Nigeria’s infrastructure projects, citing the country’s
railway modernisation project; Lekki Deep Sea Pot; Zungeru Power
Project; Abuja Light Rail; ICT and infrastructure backbone and Abuja
Water supply as laudable developmental projects.
The Chinese leader announced the
establishment of a “manufacturing section” so that Nigeria can gain from
China’s leading role in the world. “In some we lead, in others we need
to catch up,” he added.
establishment of a “manufacturing section” so that Nigeria can gain from
China’s leading role in the world. “In some we lead, in others we need
to catch up,” he added.
On a parting note,
President Xi told President Buhari that he was fully cognisant of the
status and influence of Nigeria in Africa, saying, “We will step up
cooperation and will provide assistance.
The relationship between China and Nigeria is as best as ever, given
the deeper mutual trust. China will continue to stand with Nigeria.”
President Xi told President Buhari that he was fully cognisant of the
status and influence of Nigeria in Africa, saying, “We will step up
cooperation and will provide assistance.
The relationship between China and Nigeria is as best as ever, given
the deeper mutual trust. China will continue to stand with Nigeria.”
President Buhari was also
accorded the honour of a state banquet by the Chinese Premier Li, who
assured the Nigerian leader that China was ready “to press ahead” with
infrastructure, including
the Mambila hydroelectric power project. He, like President Xi,
requested for “thorough feasibility and sustainability studies.”
accorded the honour of a state banquet by the Chinese Premier Li, who
assured the Nigerian leader that China was ready “to press ahead” with
infrastructure, including
the Mambila hydroelectric power project. He, like President Xi,
requested for “thorough feasibility and sustainability studies.”
Among the several outcomes of the
engagements of President Buhari and his delegation at the FOCAC Beijing
summit were the many agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)
signed between the Nigerian Government and Chinese
businesses, and between Nigerian businesses and their Chinese
counterparts.
engagements of President Buhari and his delegation at the FOCAC Beijing
summit were the many agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)
signed between the Nigerian Government and Chinese
businesses, and between Nigerian businesses and their Chinese
counterparts.
The Nigerian delegation was able to sign
thirteen agreements during the summit out of 25, with more to be signed
by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council and the Attorney-General and
Minister of Justice of the Federation.
thirteen agreements during the summit out of 25, with more to be signed
by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council and the Attorney-General and
Minister of Justice of the Federation.
In all, more than USD 10
billion agreements were signed. Others, still under discussion will be
quantified upon the conclusion of discussions by various parties. Among
those that have been
signed, in agreements or MOUs include that entered between the China
National Petroleum Corporation, which has agreed to secure funding for
the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Ajaokuta – Kaduna-Kano (AKK)
gas pipeline to cost USD 2.8 billion.
The agreement entered by the Ministry of Industries, Trade and
Investment with Shandong Ruyi International Fashion Industry for USD 2
billion, for a first-ever cotton value chain; that is from cotton
growing to ginning, spinning, textile manufacture
and garment with Katsina, Kano, Abia and Lagos States as the chosen
locations.
billion agreements were signed. Others, still under discussion will be
quantified upon the conclusion of discussions by various parties. Among
those that have been
signed, in agreements or MOUs include that entered between the China
National Petroleum Corporation, which has agreed to secure funding for
the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Ajaokuta – Kaduna-Kano (AKK)
gas pipeline to cost USD 2.8 billion.
The agreement entered by the Ministry of Industries, Trade and
Investment with Shandong Ruyi International Fashion Industry for USD 2
billion, for a first-ever cotton value chain; that is from cotton
growing to ginning, spinning, textile manufacture
and garment with Katsina, Kano, Abia and Lagos States as the chosen
locations.
Another Chinese conglomerate, Capegate
Integrated is into an MOU worth USD 1.5 billion for energy and organic
fertilizer that will cover Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kano to
generate:
Integrated is into an MOU worth USD 1.5 billion for energy and organic
fertilizer that will cover Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kano to
generate:
· 300 MW of electricity
· 500,000 tonnes of organic fertilizer
· 60,000,000 litres of oil from pyrolysis
· Create up to 10,000 jobs
· 400 garbage collection trucks, various types of city sanitation equipment and
· One million (1,000,000) waste bins to be deployed.
The NNPC entered another
agreement with Nanni Good Fortune Heavy Industries Group and Capegate
Group for a USD 400 million investments across six states to allow for:
agreement with Nanni Good Fortune Heavy Industries Group and Capegate
Group for a USD 400 million investments across six states to allow for:
· 90 litres of ethanol
· 64 MW of power
· 72,000 tonnes of sugar per annum
· 10,000 tonnes of animal farm per annum
· 5,500 direct employment
The Nanni Industries and
Capegate Group submitted an MOU to the NIPC for an investment in 15,000
hectares of Cassava Ethanol in the South-west, and another project of
the same value and scale
in the South-east.
Capegate Group submitted an MOU to the NIPC for an investment in 15,000
hectares of Cassava Ethanol in the South-west, and another project of
the same value and scale
in the South-east.
Among other agreements that the NNPC
signed was one with Obax-Complant Consortium and another with
Capegate-Nanning Consortium that targets 10 biofuel complexes
nationwide. NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru said
through these ventures, Nigeria is giving effect to her aspiration for
the exploitation of renewable fuel sources.
signed was one with Obax-Complant Consortium and another with
Capegate-Nanning Consortium that targets 10 biofuel complexes
nationwide. NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru said
through these ventures, Nigeria is giving effect to her aspiration for
the exploitation of renewable fuel sources.
Edo State Government, as
reported widely, had signed for the construction of the Benin River
Port; the Benin Industrial Park and a 550 Barrels per day modular
refinery. A funding MOU between
Huawei technologies and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented
by Galaxy Backbone for the training of 1,000 Nigerian government
officials to acquire basic ICT knowledge and skills has been forwarded
to the Ministry of Justice.
reported widely, had signed for the construction of the Benin River
Port; the Benin Industrial Park and a 550 Barrels per day modular
refinery. A funding MOU between
Huawei technologies and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented
by Galaxy Backbone for the training of 1,000 Nigerian government
officials to acquire basic ICT knowledge and skills has been forwarded
to the Ministry of Justice.
Huawei also plans the
annual training of 10,000 Nigerians in ICT, with a wider and deeper
training of 5,000 out of this number who, upon certification by Huawei
will be employable anywhere
in the world. Another attractive MOU signed was that by KhromeMonkey
Nigeria Limited, behind whom is Leadership newspapers owner, Sam
Nda-Isaiah and Shenzen Right Net Technology Limited.
annual training of 10,000 Nigerians in ICT, with a wider and deeper
training of 5,000 out of this number who, upon certification by Huawei
will be employable anywhere
in the world. Another attractive MOU signed was that by KhromeMonkey
Nigeria Limited, behind whom is Leadership newspapers owner, Sam
Nda-Isaiah and Shenzen Right Net Technology Limited.
This partnership will lead
to setting up of Amanbo Nigeria, a business-to-business-consumer (B2B2C)
platform and portal that would enable Nigerian exporters to trade with
Chinese importers
and vice-versa. This partnership holds tremendous opportunities for
Nigeria in terms of creating thousands jobs, if not millions as core and
support services to the platforms such as warehousing all over the
country, logistics, distributorships, customer services,
shipping services, credit facilities for small businesses etc. The
estimated trade potential of the platform within the first three years
given the current trade relationship with China is USD 500 million. This
is expected to continue to grow, creating millions
of jobs for Nigerians.
to setting up of Amanbo Nigeria, a business-to-business-consumer (B2B2C)
platform and portal that would enable Nigerian exporters to trade with
Chinese importers
and vice-versa. This partnership holds tremendous opportunities for
Nigeria in terms of creating thousands jobs, if not millions as core and
support services to the platforms such as warehousing all over the
country, logistics, distributorships, customer services,
shipping services, credit facilities for small businesses etc. The
estimated trade potential of the platform within the first three years
given the current trade relationship with China is USD 500 million. This
is expected to continue to grow, creating millions
of jobs for Nigerians.
From addressing the FOCAC
as FCOWAS Chairman, and doing so as President of Nigeria, to having 30
minutes discussions with President Xi Jinping and another 60 minutes
with Premier Li, to addressing
a room filled with influential Chinese businessmen and women, President
Buhari’s six-day engagement in China had turned out to be really
eventful, successful and highly rewarding.
as FCOWAS Chairman, and doing so as President of Nigeria, to having 30
minutes discussions with President Xi Jinping and another 60 minutes
with Premier Li, to addressing
a room filled with influential Chinese businessmen and women, President
Buhari’s six-day engagement in China had turned out to be really
eventful, successful and highly rewarding.
