By Mnena Iyorkegh
China has reaffirmed commitment to work with Nigeria to advancing the ‘Ten Partnership Actions’ for China-Africa cooperation in modernization and implementation of the Actions of the FOCAC towards enhancing economic Partnership Agreement with Nigeria and Africa.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, stated this at the International Conference (West Africa) Second Post-FOCAC Abuja Forum, centred on implementing the “Ten Partnership Actions” announced at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing.
The Chinese Ambassador also noted that the partnership between China and Nigeria is positioning West African nation as a critical economic gateway to the global fora.
“China stands ready to negotiate an Economic Partnership Agreement for Common Development with Nigeria as early as we can, in order to maximize the benefits from China’s zero-tariff policy, share development opportunities and achieve mutual revitalization goals. Together, through our joint efforts, we will surely write a new chapter of the China-Nigeria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”.
The Envoy explained that China and Africa have achieved significant progress in implementing the ‘Ten Partnership Actions’, from the FOCAC agreement.
These developments demonstrate that China-Africa cooperation rests upon a solid foundation, addresses broad shared needs, and possesses immense potential. 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.
According to him, the ‘Ten Partnership Actions’ encompass cooperation across ten critical domains, including cultural exchange, trade facilitation, industrial chain integration, infrastructure connectivity, sustainable development, public health, agriculture advancement, people-to-people bonds, green economy transition, and security cooperation”.
He stressed he partnership between China and Nigeria has elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“In the past recent days, we have seen major projects of cooperation between China and Nigeria achieving remarkable progress: the lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State commenced operations, the Ajaokuta Steel Plant revitalization project advances steadily and the Abuja’s N16 main road and Greater Water Supply project completed. These developments underscore our strong economic complementarity and bright prospects for win-win cooperation.”
Ambassadors Dunhai, added that recent policies have been 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.”
Also speaking the Director-General/Global Liaison of Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe, described the establishment of the NCSP under the Presidency as a critical step in formalising long-term bilateral engagement.
This partnership aligns with both Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The NCSP’s mission, 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.
According to Tegbe: “Nigeria has committed over $8bn in the last 10 years. Additional projects amounting to over $8bn have been identified and prioritised in the FOCAC projects,” he stated.
The NCSP, according to Tegbe, has also promoted exchange programmes, green energy ventures, and joint efforts on security.
“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 added
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.”
The 2024 FOCAC summit focused on ten partnership actions for modernization, aiming to build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.
