Nigeria, Ethiopia deepen cooperation on trade and investment

Africa, News

ADDIS ABABa, Ethiopia (Agency Report) Nigeria and Ethiopia have pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, economic development and security.

The commitment followed a bilateral meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh, on opportunities to strengthen economic and strategic ties between the two countries.

Tiruneh conveyed Ethiopia’s condolences to Nigeria over the recent air crash in Ondo State and said Ethiopia places a high premium on its relationship with Nigeria, particularly as both countries are among Africa’s most populous nations.

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He highlighted Ethiopia’s approach to tackling malnutrition as an economic and development priority, citing the 15-year Seqota Declaration launched in 2015.

According to him, the programme began in communities most affected by malnutrition before expanding to cover about half of Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister also welcomed progress on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement between the two countries and called for the convening of the Nigeria-Ethiopia Joint Commission.

He further commended growing private-sector cooperation between both countries, including investments by the Dangote Group in Ethiopia.

Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations with Ethiopia, saying both countries should leverage their population, resources and strategic positions to contribute to Africa’s development.

The Vice President commended Ethiopia’s progress in agriculture and domestic value addition, while stressing the need to increase intra-African investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He assured the Ethiopian delegation of Nigeria’s commitment to the Joint Commission framework and called for expanded cooperation in investment, agriculture, economic development and security.

The meeting underscored the two countries’ interest in strengthening economic ties and creating greater opportunities for private-sector investment and intra-African trade.