Nigeria well-positioned to receive next tranche of disbursements from $51 billion African fund portfolio – DG

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Director-General/Global Liaison, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe has stated that Nigeria is well-positioned to receive the next tranche of disbursements from the $51 billion African fund portfolio as we currently expanding our horizons.

The DG made the disclosure while speaking to Newsmen recently during the Post-FOCAC Conference for West Africa held in Abuja.

He said ” We are confident that beyond effective implementation of the current FOCAC projects/initiatives, Nigeria is well-positioned to receive the next tranche of disbursements from the $51 billion African fund portfolio as we currently expanding our horizons. “

According to him China President, Xi Jinping at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing made a landmark address by outlining ten pivotal partnership actions, each with the power to catalyse transformation across the African continent.

He said “We have aligned our development aspirations to these partnership actions, as outlined in the following analytical summary that partnership for Mutual Learning among Civilisations proposes to bridge cultural and governance knowledge through 25 new centres of China-Africa studies, capacity building for African leadership, and experience sharing in political governance. Nigeria, with her intellectual capital and leadership role in Africa, has keyed into this and is benefitting immensely.

“Partnership for Trade Prosperity reflects China’s commitment to zero-tariff access for least-developed countries, including 53 African states. This is an unprecedented gesture by a major economic power and positions Nigeria to exploit China’s vast consumer market, especially in agriculture, manufacturing and digital trade. 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.

“Partnership for Industrial Chain Cooperation brings to the fore China’s willingness to foster innovation hubs, empower African SMEs, and drive technological adoption. Nigeria’s recent alliances and bilateral trade discussions have centred around reindustrialization of our country.

“Partnership for Connectivity proposes 30 major infrastructure projects and
enhanced logistics coordination under the Belt and Road Initiative. Nigeria has
committed over $8bn in the last 10 years. Additional projects amounting to over $8bn have been identified and prioritized in the FOCAC projects.

He pointed that partnership with China for Development Cooperation envisaged the delivery of 1,000 micron livelihood projects, support for the 2026 Youth Olympics and the 2027 AFCON. These initiatives reflect a humane and people-centred vision of development that resonates deeply with Nigeria’s own commitment to youth and community empowerment.

According to him the level of partnership for Health will establish hospitals alliances, send 2,000 medical
professionals to Africa, and invest in public health resilience.

” This is another area where Nigeria has made tremendous progress, especially with the establishment of
Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), a strategic government effort aimed at transforming Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem and establishing the nation as a global hub for health product and medical technology manufacturing.

In the Agriculture sector he stressed the level of collaboration will have Livelihoods commits over 6,000 hectares of demonstration farms, 500 agricultural experts and 500 community welfare initiatives while noting that Nigeria is investing heavily in Agriculture, including poultry, enhanced cassava value
chain, amongst others.

“Partnership for People-to-People Exchanges will establish vocational institutes, offer 60,000 training slots, and launch cultural collaborations. Nigerians from various Ministries and parastatals have participated in several exchange programmes in china over the past 10 months.

Mr.Tegbe noted that the partnership for Green Development is a bold commitment to climate resilience,
clean energy, and environmental sustainability. Nigeria is partnering with Chinese investors to establish EV battery and solar manufacturing enterprises.

“Partnership for Common Security reflects a new security paradigm that is grounded in joint training, peacekeeping, and regional stability. It will see China contribute grants, training, and technical support for Africa’s peace architecture. For Nigeria, currently facing some security challenges, this partnership is both urgent and timely.

He reaffirmed that the government under the capable leadership of President Ahmed Tinubu is committed towards providing the right environment for the implementation of these partnership actions.