Nigeria, Indonesia Target Bigger Trade, Technology Transfer As $3bn Bilateral Commerce Expands

Nigeria and Indonesia are seeking to expand their annual trade of more than $3 billion by deepening investment, technology transfer, local production and business-to-business partnerships.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Bambang Suharto, disclosed this in Abuja at a reception organised by the Indonesian Embassy to commemorate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Anniversary.

Suharto described Nigeria as one of Indonesia’s major trading partners in Africa, saying the volume of existing commerce provided a strong foundation for broader economic cooperation.

“Our bilateral trade has consistently surpassed USD 3 billion annually, cementing Nigeria’s position as one of Indonesia’s foremost trading partners in Africa,” he said.

He said the economic relationship had a direct impact on citizens in both countries, noting that Nigeria supplies energy that contributes to Indonesia’s energy security, while Indonesian products are widely consumed and used by Nigerian businesses.

The ambassador added that some Indonesian-linked products were also being manufactured locally in Nigeria, creating jobs and supporting domestic industries.

According to him, the combined population of more than 550 million people, coupled with young populations, expanding businesses and abundant natural and human resources, offered significant opportunities for stronger economic ties.

“These elements provide a powerful foundation for expanding trade, investment, technological exchange, and employment opportunities,” he said.

Suharto also highlighted the contributions of Indonesian companies operating in Nigeria, saying their activities extended beyond investment and job creation to include corporate social responsibility initiatives.

He commended Dufil Prima Foods Ltd, Primera Food Nigeria Ltd, Tempo Scan Pacific, Glorious Dexa Mandaya Ltd and Orange Kalbe Ltd for their contributions to bilateral relations and support for the anniversary reception.

The ambassador stressed that the objective of the partnership should go beyond increasing trade figures to ensuring that businesses, industries and communities in both countries benefit from the relationship.

“Our ultimate ambition is not simply to trade more, but to cultivate a resilient partnership in which businesses on both sides thrive, local industries develop, and our people directly reap the benefits of the opportunities we create together,” he said.

Suharto reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Africa, pointing to platforms such as the Indonesia-Africa Forum as avenues for expanding cooperation in energy, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and human-resource development.

He also cited educational and cultural exchanges, including Indonesian scholarship programmes that have enabled Nigerian students to study in Indonesia and develop long-term institutional and personal connections.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who represented the Federal Government, said Nigeria was interested in transforming its longstanding relationship with Indonesia into a broader economic partnership capable of supporting domestic production and sustainable investment.

He said Indonesia’s experience in industrialisation, manufacturing, digital transformation, infrastructure, agriculture, maritime development and small and medium-sized enterprise development offered opportunities for knowledge exchange with Nigeria.

“Nigeria is particularly interested in expanding cooperation that can support the development of local productive capacity, strengthen value chains, promote technology transfer, and attract sustainable investment,” he said.

He identified agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, the digital economy and creative industries as priority areas for expanded bilateral cooperation.

The Permanent Secretary also called for stronger connections among businesses, chambers of commerce and financial institutions in both countries.

He said removing practical barriers relating to market access, business information, connectivity and contract facilitation would help unlock greater opportunities for Nigerian and Indonesian enterprises.

Beyond commerce, he said Abuja and Jakarta could strengthen cooperation on issues of shared interest to the Global South, including reform of the international financial system, sustainable development financing, climate action, food and energy security and global governance.

He further advocated closer coordination between Nigeria and Indonesia at the United Nations and other multilateral platforms on sustainable development, peace and security, climate change and international law.

On people-to-people relations, the Permanent Secretary called for increased exchanges among universities, research institutions, cultural organisations and young professionals.

“People-to-people relations remain an essential pillar of sustainable bilateral cooperation,” he said, noting that education, skills development, science, technology and innovation offered additional areas for collaboration.

The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace, meanwhile, urged Nigerian journalists to devote greater attention to Indonesia and deepen public understanding of the country’s relationship with Nigeria.

Ndace said he had maintained close relations with the Indonesian Embassy for between 15 and 20 years and had visited several Indonesian cities, including Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Bali.

He recalled that he was nominated in 2014 as the only African journalist to cover the inauguration of then newly elected Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

“I have done quite a number of research on Indonesia-Nigeria relationship, looked at our unique areas of comparative advantage, even our politics, our economy, and even our political history,” Ndace said.

He said the discussions at the reception demonstrated the historical connections and emerging opportunities between the two countries.

Ndace described Nigeria as a rising power in Africa and Indonesia as an important power in Asia, stressing that geographical distance should not constitute a barrier to closer relations.

“As reporters, as journalists, we must do all to help in shaping positive narrative about Nigeria and Indonesia, and indeed the Global South relationship,” he said.

He urged foreign affairs correspondents to take greater advantage of the existing diplomatic relationship by reporting more extensively on Indonesia and helping Nigerians understand its development experience.

The reception underscored efforts by Abuja and Jakarta to build on decades of diplomatic ties by expanding cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, culture and other areas of mutual interest.