Nigeria renewed its dedication to enhancing economic ties with Indonesia during the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum held from September 1-3, 2024, in Bali, Indonesia. The forum, attended by high-level officials, business leaders, and stakeholders from across Africa and Indonesia, served as a pivotal platform for exploring and expanding economic cooperation between the two regions.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, addressed the forum, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to building a robust partnership with Indonesia. In a statement released by the ministry’s Deputy Director of Press, Suleiman Haruna, Idris highlighted Nigeria’s eagerness to leverage shared strengths in various sectors including economic transformation, energy, mining, food and health security, and the digital economy.
Idris described the forum as a catalyst for a new era of cooperation, aiming to drive inclusive and sustainable growth. “The Indonesia-Africa Forum is a vital platform for us to forge a brighter and more prosperous future together. Nigeria is committed to focusing on critical areas such as economic transformation and sustainable development to benefit all our nations,” he stated.
The forum underscored the economic and demographic significance of the Africa-Indonesia bloc, with a combined population of over 1.7 billion and a GDP of USD 4.4 trillion. Discussions at the event highlighted Nigeria’s role in advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its active participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is crucial for boosting intra-African trade and industrialization.
The forum also paid homage to the Bandung Spirit of the 1955 Asia-Africa Forum, which laid the groundwork for Asia-Africa relations. Delegates from 22 African countries and five non-African nations called for increased trade, investment, and development cooperation, emphasizing the need for Africa to transition from a raw material exporter to a production hub.
Special attention was given to regional projects such as the trans-Saharan gas pipeline involving Nigeria, Algeria, and Morocco. The Indonesia-Africa Forum continues to serve as a strategic platform to enhance economic ties, foster partnerships, and promote sustainable development across key sectors including trade, investment, energy, and the digital economy.