Nigeria and Estonia have pledged to deepen their economic partnership, with a particular emphasis on trade and investment, technology, and e-governance.
The announcement came during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and his Estonian counterpart, Minna-Liina Lind, in Abuja.
Both nations expressed a strong desire to facilitate business exchanges and create a supportive environment for private-sector collaboration, especially in the technology and startup sectors.
Ambassador Tuggar highlighted Estonia’s advancements in technology and e-governance, noting the existing collaborations between private sector entities in both countries.
He emphasised the need for a structured framework to nurture an enabling environment for further engagement.
“Estonia is very advanced when it comes to technology; when it comes to e-government, and already our private sectors are leading the way in terms of collaboration, startups, and several other engagements in technology. So we are meeting to provide the necessary requisites, frameworks, so that government ensures that it further nurtures an enabling environment for private sector to engage further.
“Nigeria and Estonia find themselves sharing a lot in common in terms of principled positions on the global stage, and this is something that we’ll continue to do,” Ambassador Tuggar stated.
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Diplomatic Expansion and Business Engagement
As part of efforts to solidify ties, both countries are considering the establishment of embassies to enhance diplomatic engagement. Tuggar noted that trade delegations from Estonia are expected to visit Lagos soon, reinforcing ongoing business collaborations.
He also highlighted the presence of Nigerian students in Estonia as a growing avenue for educational and cultural exchange.
Minister Lind echoed Ambassador Tuggar’s sentiments, emphasising that shared principles on international affairs, rather than size, form the basis of the strong relationship between Estonia and Nigeria.
She acknowledged Nigeria’s vibrant startup ecosystem and the potential for deeper collaboration, particularly in the digital sphere.
“What we share, is not in size, because Estonia has 1.3 million people, what we share definitely is our principle stance on international affairs in the national fora, both in the United Nations and elsewhere,” Minister Lind said.
Trade and Business Relations
Discussions also focused on increasing trade volume between the two nations. Lind revealed that Estonia is exploring avenues to expand business relations, including a potential visit by Estonian business leaders to Nigeria.
“We already see Estonian companies, like the ride-sharing giant Bolt, operating successfully in Nigeria. However, there are many more areas where we can collaborate, from digital governance to education and beyond,” she said.
Beyond economic ties, the ministers also addressed multilateral issues, global conflicts, and areas of mutual concern. Their discussions reflect a broader commitment to not only strengthening bilateral relations but also working together on global challenges.
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