ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION | NIGERIA PARTNERS CHINA ON SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, INNOVATION

Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China have announced plans to introduce high-tech products through innovative technology that will position Nigeria as a leader in infrastructure development.

The Director of Bilateral Affairs Department at the Chinese Consulate in Lagos, Xu Fan, disclosed the initiative during the inauguration of the China-Nigeria ZGC Infovalley High-Tech Innovation Park and Industry-Education-Research-Investment Projects symposium in Lagos.

According to him, 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 explained that the integration of the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone and China’s Zhongguancun Infogu Asset Management Co. Ltd into China’s ZGC Group is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s industrial capacity through technology transfer, innovation and foreign exchange inflows.

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

Also, the Deputy General Manager of the China-Africa Free Zone Company, Kevin Liu, said the event was designed to drive technological advancement, enhance trade and employment opportunities, and support industrial upgrades.

Anthony Nwachukwu