Nigeria Germany Strengthen Economic Cultural Academic Ties

Daniel Krull, the new German Consul General in Lagos, has committed to enhancing economic, cultural, and academic relations between Germany and Nigeria, highlighting Nigeria as Germany's largest trading partner in West Africa and emphasizing improvements in visa services to facilitate exchanges. Germany is keen on expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors like IT, film production, and scientific research, including partnerships between universities and support for cultural institutions. Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar reported over 90 German companies operating in Nigeria, contributing to job creation and technology transfer, with bilateral trade reaching a record €3 billion. German business leaders call on Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government to increase engagement in Africa, stressing the continent's growing economic significance and urging more concrete government initiatives to support German companies in African markets. Meanwhile, Nigeria is also strengthening trade and customs cooperation with the Netherlands, adopting data-driven and automated systems to modernize cargo handling and border security. These developments reflect a broader push to deepen economic ties and international partnerships to foster sustainable growth and innovation in Nigeria and across Africa.