The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its resolve to build robust partnerships with the Republic of Tunisia in energy, technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, education, and the creative sectors.
This is as it called on investors to leverage the numerous investment opportunities engendered by the business-friendly policies and programmes of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated this at the ongoing 8th Financing Investment and Trade in Africa (FITA) Conference 2025, organised by the Tunisia-Africa Business Council (TABC) in Tunis, the Tunisian capital.
She said that by working closely, both countries can chart a new course that will benefit their economies and strengthen Africa’s competitiveness on the global stage.
The minister noted that Nigeria’s economic reforms under President Tinubu had created opportunities for expanded investment, including partnerships with Tunisian businesses.
Represented by the Director, Foreign Service Reform and Innovation, Amb. Bolaji Akinremi, the minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to actualising the Nigeria-Tunisia Joint Commission between September and October of this year.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant to the minister on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze said the joint commission was to be hosted by the Republic of Tunisia in 2020 but was unfortunately suspended due to the outbreak of COVID-19 at that time.
Eze added that the minister emphasised the urgent need to revive the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Tunisia while also expressing Nigeria’s interest in finalising the signing of the agreement on Military Cooperation between both countries.
She further highlighted the need to accelerate the conclusion of the Visa-Free Agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders.
Additionally, the minister noted the numerous areas of trade possibilities between Nigeria and Tunisia and urged that the two countries deeply explore areas of technical and economic collaborations.
To deepen economic cooperation, she called for the establishment of a Nigeria-Tunisia Business Council.
Nigeria also called for the fast-tracking of technical cooperation between both countries in research related to climate and smart agriculture, Information Communication Technology, especially in fintech, innovation hubs, and digital literacy programmes.
The minister equally called for joint ventures in pharmaceutical manufacturing and renewable energy.
She emphasised the imperative of investment protection agreements and trade facilitation measures between the two countries.
According to her, Nigeria and Tunisia need to collaborate to overcome the challenges impeding the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
At the sidelines of the conference, tagged “Investing in Nigeria,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s representative, Akinremi, highlighted that Nigeria was not just ready for business but was already doing business.
Describing Nigeria as a business incubator, he urged prospective investors to take advantage of the prevailing investment climate provided by the President Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda in Nigeria.
“Ease of doing business is what any investor looks for but Nigeria has a compelling environment for any investor that wants to come. I don’t know anywhere in the world where there are no challenges, but in Nigeria, the government is doing a lot to tackle these challenges and peace has returned. Investors are very well received all over. They are repatriating their funds with ease.
“So, it’s not like previously where money could not be easily repatriated. This has been addressed. We have an environment that incubates business, making it very easy for business to prosper, and this is why when you come to Nigeria, you find that everybody feels at home,” Akinremi said.
He further expressed the country’s desire to have a joint tourism package with Tunisia.
“From my ministry, we have what we call global business match where we are able to match our businesses in Nigeria with other foreign businesses. So, Nigeria is not just open for businesses; Nigeria is doing business, and we have the capacity to make you a global brand. There is no business that comes to Nigeria and fails,” he stated.
Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and MD/CEO of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, all highlighted the investment haven Nigeria has become at the moment.
