During the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali, Indonesia, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented President Bola Tinubu and underscored Nigeria’s dedication to deepening economic ties with Indonesia. The forum, held from September 1 to 3, 2024, brought together leaders from 22 African countries and five non-African countries to explore ways to enhance economic cooperation and address global challenges.
Idris emphasized Nigeria’s eagerness to leverage shared strengths in areas like economic transformation, energy, mining, food and health security, and the digital economy to drive inclusive and sustainable growth. He noted that the Indonesia-Africa Forum marks a new era of cooperation, propelling both nations toward a brighter future.
The event highlighted the economic and demographic significance of Africa and Indonesia, with a combined GDP of $4.4 trillion and a population of over 1.7 billion. Discussions focused on advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, Nigeria’s economic reforms, and regional trade and stability through ECOWAS.
Nigeria’s active participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area was recognized as a critical driver for boosting intra-African trade and industrialization. The forum also paid tribute to the 1955 Asia-Africa Forum, emphasizing the need for increased trade, investment, and development cooperation between the continents.
Specific attention was given to the trans-Saharan gas pipeline projects involving Nigeria, Algeria, and Morocco. The Indonesia-Africa Forum serves as a strategic platform to bolster economic ties between Indonesia and African nations, facilitating dialogue, fostering partnerships, and promoting sustainable development in key sectors.
