Addis Ababa:Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh has called on Ethiopia and Nigeria to utilize their economic power and large populations to drive development across Africa.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Temesgen shared this message after a meeting with Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima in Addis Ababa. He highlighted the shared potential of Africa's most populous nations to influence growth on the continent.
The leaders discussed strengthening strategic cooperation in areas such as food security, nutrition, investment, and diplomatic relations. They explored ways to enhance commercial partnerships and agricultural resilience to contribute to sustainable development in Africa.
Food security and nutrition were key topics, with Ethiopia sharing insights from its Seqota Declaration, a national initiative aimed at reducing child stunting. Temesgen expressed appreciation for Nigeria's decision to send a delegation to learn from Ethiopia's experiences with this initiative.
Temesgen praised Vice President Shettima's leadership in advancing nutrition and food security in Nigeria and emphasized that coordinated efforts between Ethiopia and Nigeria could yield significant benefits for Africa.
The meeting also covered measures to improve travel and people-to-people relations, including Ethiopia's visa-free travel for Nigerian citizens with diplomatic and service passports. Investment discussions included recognizing Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote's contributions to Ethiopia's economy, with a call for more Nigerian investors to explore opportunities in Ethiopia.
These discussions signify efforts to strengthen Ethiopia-Nigeria bilateral relations, expanding cooperation beyond political ties into food security, investment, trade, and cultural exchanges.
