Akpabio Advocates for Enhanced Nigeria-Germany Economic Ties

Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, called for stronger economic cooperation between Nigeria and Germany during a meeting in Abuja with a delegation from the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development of the German Bundestag, led by Professor Wolfgang Stefinger. In his address titled “Let Friendship Become Factories,” Akpabio highlighted the importance of translating over six decades of friendship into tangible economic benefits, focusing on opportunities in electricity, skills development, and job creation.

He proposed establishing a structured Nigeria-Germany Parliamentary Dialogue to ensure sustained engagement. Akpabio identified manufacturing, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, technology, and infrastructure as priority investment areas, stressing the need for partnerships that build local capacity and facilitate technology transfer.

He also pointed out barriers to investment, such as high financing costs and regulatory obstacles, and emphasized the significance of reliable electricity for industrialization. Akpabio expressed Nigeria's commitment to the Presidential Power Initiative with Siemens and called for increased investment in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.