Nigeria and Indonesia are seeking to expand bilateral trade beyond the current $3 billion annual mark, while deepening cooperation in investment, technology transfer, industrialisation and other sectors of mutual interest.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Bambang Suharto, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a diplomatic reception marking the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
Suharto said bilateral trade had consistently surpassed $3 billion annually, making Nigeria one of Indonesia’s foremost trading partners in Africa.
He said the two countries, with a combined market of more than 550 million people, had significant opportunities to expand trade, investment, technological exchange and employment.
“Our bilateral trade has consistently surpassed USD 3 billion annually, cementing Nigeria’s position as one of Indonesia’s foremost trading partners in Africa,” Suharto said.
He noted that the economic relationship was already reflected in the daily lives of citizens, with Nigeria supplying energy that contributes to Indonesia’s energy security, while Indonesian products had become household staples for Nigerian consumers and businesses.
The ambassador said Indonesian companies operating in Nigeria were contributing not only through commercial investments and job creation, but also through corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“Our ultimate ambition is not simply to trade more, but to cultivate a resilient partnership in which businesses on both sides thrive, local industries develop, and our people directly reap the benefits of the opportunities we create together,” he said.
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Suharto expressed appreciation to Indonesian companies operating in Nigeria, particularly Dufil Prima Foods Ltd, Primera Food Nigeria Ltd, Tempo Scan Pacific, Glorious Dexa Mandaya Ltd and Orange Kalbe Ltd, for their contributions to the bilateral relationship.
He said Indonesia was committed to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria and other African countries through initiatives such as the Indonesia-Africa Forum, covering areas including energy, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and human resource development.
According to him, the two countries’ historical ties, including their shared commitment to the principles associated with the 1955 Bandung Conference, remained an important foundation for closer cooperation.
He also highlighted educational and cultural exchanges, including Indonesian scholarship programmes that have enabled Nigerian students to study in Indonesia.
Suharto said the two countries’ membership of the D-8, as well as their cooperation within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement, provided additional platforms for advancing shared interests.
In his remarks, Ahmed said Nigeria wanted to translate its longstanding diplomatic relationship with Indonesia into a broader and more productive economic partnership.
He identified Indonesia’s experience in industrialisation, manufacturing, digital transformation, infrastructure development, agriculture, maritime development and small and medium-sized enterprises as areas offering opportunities for closer cooperation.
“Nigeria is particularly interested in expanding cooperation that can support the development of local productive capacity, strengthen value chains, promote technology transfer, and attract sustainable investment,” Ahmed said.
He called for greater interaction between the private sectors, chambers of commerce, financial institutions and business communities of both countries.
Ahmed identified agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, the digital economy and creative industries as sectors with significant potential for increased trade and investment.
He also called for the removal of practical constraints to bilateral commerce, including market access challenges, limited business information and inadequate connectivity between business communities.
The permanent secretary said Nigeria attached considerable importance to South-South cooperation, noting that both countries could contribute to efforts to reform the international financial architecture and global governance institutions.
He said Nigeria and Indonesia could also strengthen cooperation on sustainable development financing, climate action, food and energy security, technology transfer and other issues affecting developing countries.
“Nigeria welcomes Indonesia’s constructive engagement in multilateral affairs and recognizes the importance of ensuring that the voices and interests of developing countries are adequately reflected in global decision-making,” he said.
Ahmed further called for stronger cooperation in education, skills development, science, technology and innovation, particularly given the large and youthful populations of both countries.
He said greater exchanges among universities, research institutions, cultural organisations, young professionals and civil society groups would deepen mutual understanding and create new avenues for cooperation.
The permanent secretary also pointed to the shared diversity of Nigeria and Indonesia, saying their experiences could provide opportunities for mutual learning on national cohesion, dialogue, inclusion and tolerance.
He said Nigeria looked forward to strengthening bilateral mechanisms, increasing high-level consultations, deepening economic cooperation and promoting greater interaction between the peoples of both countries.
Ahmed also called for enhanced collaboration within the framework of ASEAN-Africa relations, saying stronger institutional and economic links between Africa and Southeast Asia could create additional opportunities for both regions.
He congratulated the government and people of Indonesia on the 81st anniversary of independence and expressed confidence that the Nigeria-Indonesia relationship would continue to develop through economic opportunities, knowledge sharing, technological cooperation and stronger people-to-people relations.