By Gabriel Ameh
Nigeria has called on Russia to move beyond diplomatic commitments and deepen practical economic cooperation with African countries, urging Russian investors to explore opportunities in energy, agriculture, technology, manufacturing and other key sectors.
The call was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, while delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the Third Russia-Africa Summit at the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Leading Nigeria’s delegation, Enikanolaiye said the relationship between Africa and Russia must produce measurable economic benefits through increased trade, investment, technology transfer and infrastructure development.
He stressed that stronger financial arrangements, improved banking channels and reliable cross-border payment systems were necessary to make trade between both sides easier.
The minister also encouraged greater participation of African private businesses, noting that governments alone could not drive the level of economic partnership needed to transform the relationship.
On infrastructure, Nigeria urged Russia to support commercially viable projects in railways, ports, transportation, energy, telecommunications and logistics.
According to Enikanolaiye, such investments would strengthen regional connectivity and support the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He also called for increased cooperation in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, software development and joint research, insisting that Africa must develop its own technological capabilities rather than remain merely a consumer of digital products.
On agriculture and food security, the minister identified opportunities for cooperation in fertiliser production, agricultural technology, irrigation, mechanisation, food processing and storage.
He said stronger partnerships in these areas would help African countries increase domestic food production, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities and retain more economic value within the continent.
Addressing security concerns, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to African-led solutions in tackling terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, arms trafficking, piracy and cybercrime.
He maintained that international partnerships should strengthen existing African institutions, including the African Union and ECOWAS, rather than undermine regional ownership of security and development initiatives.
The minister further called for reforms of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial system to guarantee Africa greater representation in global decision-making.
To ensure that discussions at the summit translate into concrete outcomes, Nigeria supported the adoption of an Africa-Russia Action Plan for 2027–2029, with clear priorities, financing arrangements and monitoring mechanisms.
Enikanolaiye specifically invited Russian businesses to explore Nigeria’s investment opportunities, describing the country as Africa’s largest market and a strategic gateway to West Africa and the AfCFTA.
He identified energy, including renewable and nuclear technology, solid minerals, agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, defence and digital services as sectors with significant investment potential.
He also expressed Nigeria’s interest in strengthening local currency settlement arrangements with Russia through mutually agreed cross-border payment systems.
The minister described Russia as a longstanding partner, recalling its historical support for Nigeria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity dating back to the Soviet era.
Speaking at the plenary session, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Russia and Africa as natural allies in building a fair multipolar world order.
Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to expanding diplomatic relations, supporting security and strengthening Africa’s representation in international institutions.
The African Union Chairman and President of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, said Africa would pursue independent international partnerships without replacing one form of dependence with another.
He emphasised the importance of technology transfer, skills development and infrastructure investment in transforming Africa from an aid-dependent continent into a more independent global economic actor.
The Third Russia-Africa Summit is expected to provide a framework for strengthening relations between both sides, with Nigeria pushing for a partnership measured not just by diplomatic agreements but by investments, jobs, technology transfer and tangible economic benefits.
