Germany and Nigeria have moved to deepen co-operation in cement, mining, steel and building materials technology as industrial leaders from both countries explored new opportunities for investment, technology transfer and equipment manufacturing.

The development followed the German-Nigeria Cement, Building Materials and Mining Technology Conference held in Abuja , which brought together German original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Nigerian industrialists, government officials and financial institutions.

Organised by the European Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association (VDMA), the conference was the culmination of an OEM delegation mission across Lagos and Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Convener and Head of German Delegates, Dr Chux Onaa, said Germany’s engineering capabilities could complement Nigeria’s industrial ambitions.

Onaa said sustainable commercial relationships required not only technology and investment but also trust and a shared vision between partners.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who delivered the keynote address, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to private-sector-led industrial growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Bagudu highlighted the recent €364 million export credit guarantee agreement with Germany as part of the financial framework supporting industrial ventures between both countries.

Speaking, the Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, Ambassador Johannes Lehne, said Germany was committed to building long-term economic partnerships with Nigeria rather than pursuing one-off transactions.

Lehne said Germany’s portfolio in Nigeria had exceeded €600 million, covering sectors including agriculture, enterprise development and power.

He added that bilateral trade had increased from about $2.5 billion to more than $3.5 billion.

The German delegation also visited the Federal Ministry of Steel Development, where the Minister, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, received the participating OEMs.

Discussions focused on opportunities for cooperation in steel production, mineral processing, technology transfer and equipment manufacturing.

Audu called for partnerships that would leverage German technological expertise to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial capacity and support the development of the steel and mining sectors.

The Abuja conference also featured presentations by German technology companies and a panel session on export and trade finance involving representatives of DEG, Access Bank, the German Desk, Nigerian industry and the German machinery sector.

The event further provided a platform for business-to-business engagements between Nigerian industrialists and German OEMs.

The conference provided a platform for sustained technology-driven industrial cooperation as Nigeria pursues its ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.