Nigeria, China collaborate on innovation, skills development, economic transformation

The Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ) and China’s Zhongguancun Infogu Asset Management Co. Ltd have announced plans to introduce high-tech products.

According to the Chinese delegation, the introduction of innovative technology will position Nigeria as a leader in infrastructure development.

The delegation members, while speaking during the inauguration of the China-Nigeria ZGC Infovalley High-Tech Innovation Park and Industry-Education-Research-Investment Projects symposium yesterday in Lagos, emphasised that by embracing technology and industrialisation, Nigeria could strengthen its role in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) trade and the global market.

The event, organised by OGFTZ, aims to strengthen trade ties between China and Nigeria and boost local firms.

The Chinese delegation also outlined strategies to enter the Nigerian market with cutting-edge AI and deep-tech solutions, which they believe will drive innovation agriculture green energy, and industrial development.

Director of the Bilateral Affairs Department at the Chinese Consulate in Lagos, Xu Fan, said that the initiative would streamline trade and investment regulations.

He noted that the goal is to improve Chinese investors’ understanding of Nigeria’s industries while also enabling Nigerian businesses to access China’s high-tech ecosystem.

Fan highlighted the integration of the OGFTZ into China’s ZGC Group, a move aimed at boosting Nigeria’s industrial capacity through technology transfer, innovation and foreign exchange inflows.

According to him, OGFTZ has become a cornerstone of China-Nigeria economic cooperation, emerging as one of Nigeria’s most significant industrial clusters.

He said the free trade zone currently hosts over 140 registered enterprises, generating nearly 10,000 direct jobs and 18,000 indirect jobs within local communities.

In his remarks, the Deputy General Manager of the China-Africa Free Zone Company (OGFTZ), Kevin Liu, said the innovation and symposium were designed to drive technological advancement, enhance trade and employment opportunities, and support industrial upgrades, paving the way for long-term prosperity in the region.

Similarly, Managing Director of InfoValley Industry-Education Integration Technology Co., Ltd, Chen Peter, emphasised that the Nigeria-China partnership extends beyond trade.

“This partnership seeks to foster innovation, skills development, and economic transformation, not only in Nigeria but across Africa. With the right policies and investment frameworks, this collaboration could redefine Nigeria’s trade future,” Peter stated.

On his part, the Deputy President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Leye Kupoluyi, urged stakeholders to leverage knowledge-based economies to drive progress in key sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, education, and renewable energy, while also expanding trade across Africa.