Nigeria and China commit to a deeper, trust-based partnership as Joseph Tegbe outlines a bold vision for shared prosperity at the Changsha investment dialogue

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]t the recently concluded Nigeria-China Investment Dialogue in Changsha, the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) reaffirmed its commitment to a purpose-driven bilateral relationship grounded in mutual prosperity, innovation, and trust.

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Delivering the keynote address, NCSP Director-General Mr Joseph Tegbe articulated a visionary roadmap for sustainable economic cooperation between Africa’s most populous nation and the world’s second-largest economy.

Framing the partnership as a strategic alliance between the Eagle and the Dragon—two global icons of strength and ambition—he noted that Nigeria and China were not merely emerging economies, but determined shapers of 21st-century development.

Commending the choice of Changsha as host city, Tegbe drew symbolic parallels between its revolutionary past and its modern industrial rise.

He likened this to Nigeria’s current transformation—led by a youthful population, bold reforms, and resilient entrepreneurial energy. “Nigeria’s future is not abstract,” he said. “It is rooted in our people, our land, and our determination.”

With a GDP over \$400 billion and more than 220 million citizens—most under the age of 20—Nigeria, Tegbe argued, holds the key to unlocking Africa’s future.

He identified agriculture and technology as twin pillars of opportunity for Chinese investors, highlighting Nigeria’s 70 million hectares of cultivable land and leading global output in crops such as cassava, yam, palm oil, and sorghum.

Let us build a bridge between the Dragon and the Eagle—not only for trade and technology—but for trust, shared values, and a collective commitment to prosperity.

China, which feeds nearly a fifth of the world’s population with just 7% of arable land, was urged to partner with Nigeria to address global food insecurity through shared agribusiness ventures.

Turning to the digital economy, Tegbe described Nigeria as “Africa’s leading innovation hub”, pointing to homegrown giants like Paystack, Flutterwave, and Opay, and noting the country’s capture of over 25% of Africa’s venture capital funding in 2024.

With more than 122 million internet users and a rising tech-savvy generation, Nigeria offers Chinese investors a dynamic entry point into the continent’s digital revolution.

Tegbe further underscored Nigeria’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms—ranging from business-friendly regulatory changes to strategic tax incentives—designed to create a competitive, inclusive environment for long-term investment.

In echoing President Bola Tinubu’s foreign policy shift toward more purpose-aligned diplomacy, the NCSP boss called on both nations to move beyond transactional relations.

“It’s time to align values with vision,” he said. “Let us build a bridge between the Dragon and the Eagle—not only for trade and technology—but for trust, shared values, and a collective commitment to prosperity.”

Also read: Nigeria-China partnership boosts bilateral trade, industrial growth

The Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership concluded the dialogue by reiterating its resolve to champion industrialisation, sustainability, and shared growth, anchoring what it described as a “new era” of transformative cooperation.