Nigeria and Thailand agree to boost ties in technology, agriculture, and renewable energy

Nigeria and Thailand are set to significantly expand their bilateral cooperation, with a focus on key sectors like technology, agriculture, commerce, and renewable energy. This renewed commitment emerged from a meeting between Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima and a Thai delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Yousef Khalawi.

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I believe that our relationship should go beyond transactions in crude oil, rice production and so on. So, there is a need for us to review our bilateral relationship at a strategic level.

Vice President Shettima, speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, stressed the need to move beyond transactional relationships and review the existing bilateral ties at a strategic level. He highlighted Nigeria's potential as a vast market with enormous opportunities for investment in agriculture, ICT, renewable energy, and solid minerals, further bolstered by its young population and abundant natural resources. Shettima urged Thailand to continue engaging with Nigeria, emphasizing its strategic position in Africa.

Deputy Prime Minister Khalawi, on his first visit to Africa, acknowledged Nigeria's ongoing transformation under President Tinubu's administration. He described Nigeria as a vital strategic partner and a strong voice in the global south. Thailand is proposing a "Thailand-Africa Initiative" aimed at enhancing economic ties, business, and people-to-people relations between Thailand and African nations. Khalawi specifically noted the initiative's focus on promoting economic cooperation, particularly in agriculture, and leveraging Thailand's strengths in universal health coverage and tourism.

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Nigeria is a large market. There are enormous opportunities for partnership and investment in agriculture, ICT, renewable energy, and solid minerals, and we have a young population and workforce.

Khalawi stated that Thailand views Nigeria not only as a crucial bilateral partner but also as an important gateway for strengthening ties with Africa, especially West Africa. The discussions underscored a mutual desire to foster deeper economic and technological collaboration, recognizing the complementary strengths and market potential of both nations.

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For us in Thailand, we believe that Nigeria is a strategic partner bilaterally and an important window to strengthening ties with Africa, particularly West Africa.