In a statement made at the China-Africa Leaders’ Roundtable Dialogue Meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, Vice President Kashim Shettima affirmed Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to working together with China and other African countries. The goal of this collaboration is to ensure that both parties benefit from the objectives set forth in their partnership.
Addressing a large audience, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and several African leaders, Shettima spoke on the theme of “Promoting African Integration and Jointly Building a High-Level Africa-China Community with a Shared Future.” He praised the new initiatives introduced by the Chinese authorities, which aim to support and promote the modernization of Africa’s agriculture and agribusiness sectors.
Shettima also expressed Nigeria’s support for robust assistance in expediting regional integration, promoting Africa’s industrialization, and expanding its infrastructure. He commended the existing partnership between China and Africa, emphasizing the three newly-identified initiatives and priority areas of cooperation in agriculture, industrialization, and human capacity development.
These initiatives align with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” mantra, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Shettima stressed their relevance to Nigeria’s continental and national development aspirations.
Recognizing China’s commitment, Shettima conveyed Nigeria’s endorsement and anticipated forging a close collaboration with the Chinese authorities, the African Union, and all other stakeholders. He emphasized the need to foster synergy among national institutions tasked with formulating and implementing policies in the three priority areas of cooperation. Furthermore, he encouraged efforts that promote African ownership of these initiatives.
Shettima also highlighted the importance of financing Africa’s infrastructure, with a specific focus on key components such as Farm-to-Market Corridors, Farm-to-Ports Corridors, Export Transport Corridors, Railway Networks, and Road Network Upgrades. Airport enhancements, power generation, transmission, distribution, and other critical areas were also stressed.
Regarding Nigeria’s relationship with the global South, Shettima emphasized that Nigeria prioritizes its relations within this region and values the South-South Cooperation in all aspects. He acknowledged the challenges currently faced by the global South, including climate change, transnational crime, terrorism, and cyberattacks, as well as youth unemployment and natural disasters. He emphasized the opportunity to reassess these challenges collectively.
In his address, President Xi Jinping, the co-chair of the Dialogue, assured African leaders that China would launch initiatives to support Africa’s industrialization and agricultural modernization.
Shettima was accompanied by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Muhammad Manta, the Consul-General, Amb. Andrew Idi, and other senior government officials.
[ NAN]
