German President Leads Economic Delegation to Nigeria

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, World News Friday, February 5th, 2016

By Eric Ojo, Abuja

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – As part of activities lined up for his official visit to Nigeria next week, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Gauck will lead an economic delegation to meet with Nigerian stakeholders.

The official visit of the German President to Nigeria which is slated for February 8 to 12, is coming at the heels of Nigeria’s renewed efforts at seeking additional bilateral relations and partnership with the international community.

President Mohammadu Buhari have had course to embark on several foreign trips within the last couple of months, seeking assistance from some topmost advanced economies on behalf of his administration.

The President has repeatedly told the international community that his administration urgently needs all the support it can get in order to confront Nigeria’s current dwindling economic fortunes as a result of the fall in oil prices at the international market.

The German delegation will during the visit, hold series of talks with critical stakeholders in Nigeria with a view to forging a better synergy as a way forward.

A statement issued by the Presidential Office in Berlin which was made available to African Examiner, said the delegation will hold discussions on a wide range of issues in Abuja.

“During discussions in the capital Abuja, the challenges posed by international terrorism, dealing with refugees and displacement as well as issues of poverty reduction and economic development will play a key role.

“Also planned are meetings with religious leaders and representatives of civil society and a speech at the headquarters of the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS) in Abuja”, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the German government has been actively involved the promotion of renewable energy as a primary sustainable development strategy for socio-economic inclusion that is good for the global environment.

One of the key areas of support as stipulated in the Nigerian German Energy Partnership programme, is that of a massive roll-out of on and off-grid solar power in Nigeria.

Through GIZ, the German government, according to Dr. Jeremy Gaines, the Coordinator of Nigerian-German Energy Partnership, has been busy supporting Nigeria with getting all the homework done to enable a strong rise in off-grid solar PV systems.