President Muhammadu Buhari has made strong case for easier access to Chinese Visa for Nigerian students and Businessmen, to ease movement between China and West Africa.
President Buhari made the requests while delivering his address at the beginning of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) holding September 3 – 4, 2018.
Speaking on behalf of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Buhari listed areas of needs to include “ Visa facilitation for our businessmen and women, and students who seek to visit China”
Buhari also noted that ECOWAS welcomes more of Chinese tourists to visit West Africa, “to enhance enhance people-to-people exchanges, especially now that Member States are getting involved in the Belt and Road Initiative”
President Buhari who said the sub-region is endowed with enormous tourism potentials, added that “ with China’s support, tourism related infrastructure should be developed to empower our citizens, create more employment opportunities among the teeming population and eliminate poverty”
Buhari reiterated the commitment of ECOWAS Member States to deepening and strengthening institutions in the sub-region, through good governance, the fight against corruption, combating terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime, which he said necessary actions that must be taken “if the right conditions for sustainable economic growth in West Africa are to be achieved.”
Buhari noted that ECOWAS Member States will continue to pay emphasis on encouraging more foreign direct investment in the sub-region.
“To this end, Member States are looking at the opportunities that the China International Import-Export initiative will offer our exporters to gain market access for their goods and services in China. Such an opportunity will help in diversifying the economy of our sub-region from over reliance on primary agricultural and mineral products and subsequently correct the huge trade imbalance between China and the ECOWAS sub-region on a win-win basis for both parties”
“We are happy to welcome to the FOCAC family, two Member States of ECOWAS; the Republics of The Gambia and Burkina Faso as well as São Tomé and Principe.”
Buhari had also revealed that ECOWAS region accounts for some 30% of Africa’s population and GDP, added that the region is also presently embarking on policies and strategies to stabilise and strengthen internal growth.
“Our Member States are making efforts at diversifying their economies and developing specific policies targeting the most vulnerable groups, in order to ensure more inclusive growth. In this regard, Member States will continue to encourage Chinese State-owned companies and entrepreneurs to invest in our sub-region.”
Within the last few years, China has become the largest investor in the sub-region in both private and public sectors covering areas such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, mining, healthcare. China also provides significant assistance in emergency humanitarian aid and response to climate change.
As part of efforts to boast infrastructure in the region, China has massively mobilized its construction companies to the sub-region, including the construction of railway projects, power infrastructure, airports and numerous roads through Chinese financing.
According to Buhari, “We should also realise that while China’s help is vital, the main push to transform our economies must come from our own efforts and commitment.”
