Strengthening Partnerships For Mutual Interests: German Bundestag AwZ Delegation Visits Nigeria

From 26 - 30 October 2026, a German Bundestag Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development (AWZ) led by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Stefinger visited Lagos, Abeokuta and Abuja to learn how German Nigerian cooperation can combine investment, local skills and innovation to support shared economic development.

The visit spanned finance, migration, energy, skills and regional cooperation. Prof. Dr. Stefinger emphasised that effective cooperation must be based on equal partnership and clearly communicated shared interests. Across the discussions, a common message emerged: lasting impact depends on developing infrastructure, skills, innovation and institutions together.

Finance, business climate and safe, regular migration

• Discussions covered Nigeria’s economy and financial sector, including contributions from German banks and the German-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce (AHK) and a Development Finance Roundtable hosted by the Development Bank of Nigeria.
• A visit to the Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) showcased Germany’s support for migration governance and livelihoods. Through the German-funded Centres for Migration and Development (ZME) programme, GIZ and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment established the Nigerian-German Centre for Migration and Development. Its services are now delivered independently by the Ministry through four MRCs in Abuja, Benin City, Lagos and New Karu.
• The MRCs advise on regular migration, explain the risks of irregular migration and support returnees’ reintegration. Since August 2023, they have:
  • Counseled more than 31,000 people;
  • Supported over 3,600 returnees with social and economic reintegration; and
  • Referred around 14,000 people to skills and qualification programmes.
• The centres also build labour and training migration partnerships with German chambers of commerce, trade associations and the Federal Employment Agency, helping create transparent, skills-based pathways that benefit both countries.

Powering Nigeria’s future: SEED and the Presidential Power Initiative

• In Abeokuta, the delegation learned about the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), which aims to modernise Nigeria’s grid. Its first phase represents about USD 2.3 billion in investment, largely financed by German banks and supported by German export credit guarantees.
• To build the workforce needed to deliver and maintain this infrastructure, Siemens Energy, FGN Power Company and GIZ launched the SEED initiative in May 2026. Supported by the German and EU co-funded Nigerian Energy Support Programme, it will train around 6,000 professionals over five years at ten locations, with certification aligned to Nigerian, ECOWAS and European standards.
• The delegation also met former President Olusegun Obasanjo and traditional and religious leaders, underscoring the importance of local perspectives and community partnerships.

Digital talent, creative enterprise and the power of ecosystems

The delegation visited locations showcasing Nigeria’s digital, fashion and film industries and the role of skills development, innovation and partnerships in supporting their growth.

• Digital innovation at UNILAG: With Germany support through DTC Nigeria, NitHub has strengthened training, startup incubation and industry links. It has supported 23 startups and developed partnerships, including with Nokia Nigeria. DTC Nigeria is equipping more than 4,000 young people with in-demand ICT skills. A developing collaboration with SAP aims to expand university-based SAP training.
• Fashion and creative enterprise at the 360° Creative Innovation Hub: The 360° Creative Innovation Hub supports around 500 fashion MSMEs with shared facilities, training and market access. Results from our German funded SEDIN programme include support for more than 30 designers, trade-fair participation by 40 MSMEs, international exposure for four businesses, at least 30 jobs created and links between 30 businesses and finance providers.
• Film and television: At KAP Film and Television Academy, the delegation explored how skills training and industry infrastructure can support Nollywood and partnerships in production, technology and post-production. Following GIZ-supported industry meetings at AFRIFF 2025, German and Nigerian companies have begun building partnerships, while training with KAP and Kininso Koncepts is helping young people develop technical film skills.

Regional priorities and national policy: ECOWAS Commission and ministerial dialogues

• ECOWAS: The delegation met Vice-President H.E. Anthony Oluwatosin Ogunjimi and Commission representatives to discuss German Cooperation priorities, including institutional capacity, policy reform, peace and security, cybersecurity, trade, agriculture and private-sector engagement. The exchange also explored regional tourism and economic development, helping inform future German development investments.

• Nigeria: Meetings with the ministers of Budget and Economic Planning, State for Finance, and Agriculture and Food Security focused on sustainable development, skills, food security, renewable energy and healthcare. Discussions also highlighted cooperation to expand economic opportunities and promote safe, legal migration pathways. 

  By aligning around shared interests, these national and regional dialogues are helping to focus cooperation where it can create meaningful opportunities for people in Nigeria, across ECOWAS, in Germany and in Europe.

Industry-led skills with Julius Berger Skills Academy

• The delegation visited Julius Berger Nigeria’s Skills Academy, where the German-commissioned, Swiss co-funded SKYE project supports construction-sector training with occupational standards, curricula, trainer development and an Integrated Expert.
• Four programmes; in carpentry, masonry, plumbing and pipe fitting, and electrical and solar PV installation and maintenance, combine six months of academy training with a three-month internship and self-employment preparation.
• In 2025, 35 of 38 trainees earned certification; 39 are training in 2026. Nine instructors have completed competency-based training, with five also trained in inclusive teaching.
• The partnership strengthens local skills and construction capacity, while creating potential business opportunities for German suppliers. Planned cooperation with the AFEME Mechatronics School could extend its impact.

A coherent approach with mutual benefits

The visit demonstrated a coherent cooperation model: pair infrastructure with skills; link services to employment and entrepreneurship; strengthen national and regional institutions; and build ecosystems that last.

For Nigeria and the ECOWAS region, this means more reliable power, stronger institutions, greater digital and creative capacity, better jobs, new opportunities for young people and businesses, and progress towards shared development goals.

For Germany and European partners, it means transparent, skills-based mobility pathways, new business partnerships, access to talent and markets, and shared prosperity grounded in long-term cooperation.

Together, these partnerships are helping turn shared priorities into practical opportunities across Nigeria, the ECOWAS region, Germany and Europe.

Learn more about how international cooperation serves German interests in a recent interview with Prof. Dr.Wolfgang Stefinger

Author: Charlotte Tamekloe; Communications and PR Advisor - GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS