Nigeria has called for enhanced cooperation between African and Latin American countries, underscoring the need for stronger alliances among Global South nations to address rising global uncertainties and foster more balanced international relations.
Speaking at the CELAC–Africa High-Level Forum in Bogotá, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, urged leaders from both regions to deepen collaboration in critical sectors such as technology, agriculture, education, energy, and culture.
The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which convened the forum, brings together countries across Latin America and the Caribbean to promote political dialogue, economic cooperation, and regional integration.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tuggar described the forum as a timely platform for Africa and Latin America to redefine their roles in an evolving global order. He commended Gustavo Petro for hosting the meeting amid ongoing geopolitical and economic challenges.
The minister noted that global conflicts and instability increasingly affect developing nations, regardless of geographic distance, and called for a more coordinated interregional approach to advancing peace, economic resilience, and shared prosperity.
He emphasized that Africa and Latin America must strengthen their collective voice in global governance to address longstanding structural imbalances that disadvantage developing economies. According to him, deeper South–South cooperation could unlock new opportunities in trade, innovation, and sustainable development.
Highlighting Nigeria’s priorities, Tuggar identified agriculture, solid minerals, renewable energy, and emerging technologies as key areas for expanded engagement. He also stressed the importance of active participation by developing nations in transformative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, warning against marginalization in the next phase of global technological advancement.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation, the minister referenced the Technical Aid Corps programme, which has deployed Nigerian professionals to Caribbean countries for decades, strengthening bilateral ties and capacity building.
On economic prospects, Tuggar pointed to Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest market, noting opportunities for investment in agro-processing and food production. He added that ongoing policies aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency and expanding fertiliser production would further boost agricultural output.
Beyond trade and investment, he highlighted the role of cultural exchange and creative industries in strengthening interregional ties, calling for greater collaboration in arts, education, digital innovation, and intellectual property development.
Addressing broader global challenges, Tuggar advocated joint action on climate change, improved healthcare access, and increased technology transfer. He also reiterated calls for stronger measures to curb illicit financial flows and renewed demands for historical reparations linked to slavery and colonialism.
The CELAC–Africa High-Level Forum, held from March 20 to 21, brought together leaders and senior officials from Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean to explore pathways for deeper political, economic, and cultural cooperation.
Tuggar concluded by urging participants to seize the opportunity to build enduring partnerships capable of unlocking shared economic potential and advancing a more equitable global order.
