Nigeria and China have launched the African Green Development Index (AGDI), a program designed to promote sustainable economic growth across the African continent while ensuring environmental protection.
This initiative was announced during the 18th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) held in Abuja, where senior officials from both nations sought to leverage their strengths to create new opportunities for trade, investment, and technological cooperation.
The event attracted around 100 exhibitors from China and Nigeria, providing a platform for both countries to discuss ways to strengthen their economic ties.
During the opening ceremony of the trade expo, Mr. Yu Dunhai, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, assured that China is committed to enhancing its trade and economic partnerships with Nigeria. He emphasised that China does not only aim to trade with Nigeria but also intends to support technological and infrastructural advancements to foster local industrialisation.
To kickstate the expo, Ambassador Yu, along with other Chinese officials such as Mr. Lai Mingyong, Vice Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Political Consultative Conference, and Mr. Fang Qiuchen, as well as Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Mr. Said Alkali, officially launched the AGDI initiative.
The AGDI program aims to ensure that Africa’s economic and industrial development is sustainable while promoting a green profile that does not compromise environmental protection for profit.
Ambassador Yu noted in his speech that Nigeria, a country that plays a pivotal role in China-Africa cooperation, has a lot of environmental and other advantages to be a robust economy. He challenged the country to take advantage of the growing economic ties with China to advance its local economy in many spheres as Africa’s largest contracting market for Chinese operators.
Minister Alkali also assured of the commitment of the Nigerian government to make the infrastructural advancement through Chinese companies an achievable goal that will be as fruitful and robust as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)
On the sideline with journalists, Mr Fang, Chairman of China International Contractors Association (CHINCA), explained plans to collaborate with Nigeria on new energy projects, digital smart cities, infrastructure and agriculture.
According to him, the longstanding relationship between China and Nigeria dates back to 1971, and with China’s advanced technology in various sectors, particularly infrastructure, there is a need to share this expertise with Nigerian partners.
Fang emphasised the importance of this partnership in addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges and promoting sustainable urban development. “The collaboration will leverage China’s advanced technologies and Nigeria’s vast resources to create a sustainable energy framework that benefits both nations,” he stated.
He also highlighted that the projects will not only improve energy access in Nigeria but also contribute to the country’s economic growth. “Both China and Nigeria are actively exploring the use of advanced technologies, such as big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, to enhance the intelligence and automation of infrastructure.
“The integration of digital technology with new infrastructure, the blue economy, and agricultural modernisation has emerged as a focal point for cooperation.
“The presence of the Deputy Governor of the China Development Bank indicates a collective effort to finance these projects,” he added.
Additionally, Fang noted that the partnership is expected to facilitate investments in solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy, aligning with global trends towards cleaner energy sources.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the development of smart cities will incorporate digital technologies to improve urban management and enhance the quality of life for residents.
