Shettima and Ethiopia’s deputy prime minister discuss bilateral institutions and private investment on the sidelines of a nutrition forum.
Nigeria and Ethiopia have agreed to pursue stronger cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, aviation, food security and defence following talks between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh in Addis Ababa.
The meeting took place alongside the Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum and focused on how the two countries could use their population, markets and strategic positions to support wider African development.
Tiruneh conveyed condolences over the recent military aircraft crash in Ondo State and said Ethiopia placed high value on its longstanding relationship with Nigeria.
He welcomed progress on a bilateral Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement and called for the Nigeria-Ethiopia Joint Commission to meet. He also cited private investment links, including Dangote Group activity in Ethiopia, as an area for further cooperation.
Shettima praised Ethiopia’s experience in agricultural development and local value addition and urged both countries to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand investment and commercial exchanges.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the Joint Commission framework and said economic, agricultural and security cooperation should receive greater attention.
The Nigerian delegation to the forum included governors, ministers and officials responsible for health, agriculture, education, emergency management and local government coordination.
The discussions signalled an intention to deepen relations, although no new signed trade or security agreement was announced in the account of the meeting.
