…Assured of improved visa approvals
Germany- Nigeria trade volume is in the region of €3 billion, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Gunther.
The 30% increase, Ambassador Gunther said, was attributed to Nigeria’s economic recovery.
The envoy made the disclosure while briefing the media ahead of the joint Nigerian-German binational commission scheduled for Berlin, in German.
Gunther noted that Nigeria remains “Germany’s second biggest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa with a total trade volume of 3 billion Euros. Trade volumes have increased this year by 30 % due to Nigeria’s economic recovery.”
Besides, she said more than 90 German companies are active in Nigeria, “indirectly creating about 17.000 jobs in Nigeria.”
She also revealed that More investment is coming, especially in the energy and the pharmaceutical sector.
On the energy sector, the envoy revealed that the Presidential Power initiative is now in the second phase.
“ This cooperation with the German energy giant Siemens will add about 7 Gigawatts to Nigeria’s Energy Grid. Secondly, the German –Nigerian cooperation in the Gas sector, eliminating gas flaring and improving Nigeria´s CO2 footprint.”
In the area of Visa and Migration, the envoy said no fewer than 7,600 visas were issued to both students and short term stay.
She also disclosed that plans were already in place to increase the number.
Gunther, however, stressed the need for legal migration.
She said: “All the common goals and projects would not work if they were not supported by travels on all levels between our two countries, plus legal migration. Last year alone, the German Embassy here in Abuja and the German Consulate General in Lagos granted around 1400 long-term visas for purposes such as study in Germany, family reunion and employment as well as around 6200 visas for short-term stays such as business and tourism.
The envoy said: “This year, we are well on track to raise those numbers.
“The German missions remain committed to furthering the bilateral relations by granting visas to properly documented applications.”
In the area of military Cooperation, she said Germany will continue to stand by Nigeria.
“This year marked a new chapter: the launch of our first Bilateral Annual Program, bringing military experts from both countries together for in-depth exchanges and joint planning.
“Through the Bundeswehr Advisory Group, Germany has been a reliable partner — supporting Nigeria with field medical expertise and counter-IED operations, car mechanical training and other interventions.
And we’re not stopping here. Germany will continue to stand with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
Next month, we’ll take this cooperation to the next level: for the first time, high-level military staff talks will take place in Abuja, opening the door to even closer collaboration in the future.”
She also revealed other areas of cooperation which includes support for the Nigeria police force and the drug enforcement agency amongst others.
In the area of stabilization efforts at containing impacts of terrorism and climate change, the envoy said: “Germany is supporting the development of resilient state institutions and the strengthening of local communities.”
She noted that focus are on the North East (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe) and the North West (Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina), “where initiatives such as the reconstruction of schools, health centres, markets, housing, and police stations are improving both security and daily life for local people.”
