The advocacy and high-level engagement were led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON), according to a statement by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, on Thursday.
Addressing Spanish business leaders, Nigeria underscored its appreciation of CEOE’s role as the institutional backbone of Spain’s productive economy, while highlighting the growing alignment between Nigeria’s reform-driven economic agenda and Spain’s outward- looking private sectors
Officials noted that Nigeria’s economy is steadily stabilising and repositioning through structural reforms, diversification, and stronger macroeconomic coordination.
Nigeria stressed its relevance to Spanish business as Africa’s largest market and a natural gateway to West and Central Africa.
Through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), investments anchored in Nigeria can serve a continental market of more than 1.3 billion people.
The country emphasised its preference for productive, long-term capital, technology transfer, and partnerships that deepen value chains, rather than short-term or speculative engagement.
Nigeria further positioned itself as an emerging hub for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), citing its young, English-speaking, digitally skilled workforce capable of supporting customer services, shared services, and IT outsourcing for European markets.
Technology, fintech, digital infrastructure, creative industries, and professional services were also presented as high-growth sectors.
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening economic ties with Spain, describing the country as a strategic partner and an important bridge between Africa and Europe, during an engagement with the leadership of CEOE, Spain’s foremost business confederation.
On imigration and labour mobility, Nigeria reiterated that it does not encourage irregular migration, favouring instead structured and legal mobility aligned with labour market needs.
Spain’s circular migration framework was commended as consistent with long-standing West African labour practices. Properly managed labour mobility, Nigeria noted, can enhance business competitiveness, reduce irregular migration flows, and strengthen bilateral trust.
CEOE was invited to play a catalytic role by encouraging Spanish firms to view Nigeria not merely as an export destination, but as a production and services base; by supporting joint ventures and SME partnerships; and by helping shape a more balanced Europe–Africa economic narrative founded on mutual benefit.
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