Nigeria and Indonesia are seeking to push bilateral trade beyond the $3 billion annual level while expanding cooperation in investment, technology transfer, industrialisation, agriculture, healthcare and other sectors as both countries seek to turn longstanding diplomatic ties into a broader economic partnership.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Bambang Suharto, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a diplomatic reception marking Indonesia’s 81st Independence Anniversary.
Suharto said bilateral trade had consistently exceeded $3 billion annually, describing Nigeria as one of Indonesia’s major trading partners in Africa.
He said the size of the two markets, with a combined population of more than 550 million people, provided considerable room for increased trade, investment, technology exchange and job creation.
“Our bilateral trade has consistently surpassed USD 3 billion annually, cementing Nigeria’s position as one of Indonesia’s foremost trading partners in Africa,” Suharto said.
The ambassador said the economic relationship was already reflected in the everyday lives of citizens, with Nigeria supplying energy to Indonesia while Indonesian manufactured and consumer products had gained a significant presence in the Nigerian market.
Official Indonesian data put bilateral trade at about $3.4 billion in 2024, with Indonesia recording a trade deficit of about $2.5 billion. Indonesia’s main exports to Nigeria include palm oil, while crude oil is among Nigeria’s major exports to Indonesia.
Suharto said the next phase of the relationship should go beyond the exchange of commodities to create stronger industrial and investment linkages between the two economies.
“Our ultimate ambition is not simply to trade more, but to cultivate a resilient partnership in which businesses on both sides thrive, local industries develop, and our people directly reap the benefits of the opportunities we create together,” he said.
The growing relationship is also being driven by Indonesian companies with operations in Nigeria.
Suharto specifically acknowledged the contributions of Dufil Prima Foods Ltd, Primera Food Nigeria Ltd, Tempo Scan Pacific, Glorious Dexa Mandaya Ltd and Orange Kalbe Ltd, citing their investments, employment generation and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The ambassador also highlighted Indonesian scholarship programmes that have enabled Nigerian students to study in Indonesia, as well as educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
He pointed to the shared diversity of Nigeria and Indonesia as an opportunity for both countries to exchange experiences on national cohesion, dialogue, inclusion and tolerance.
Suharto said Indonesia remained committed to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria and other African countries through initiatives such as the Indonesia-Africa Forum, with priority areas including energy, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and human-resource development.
He expressed confidence that the two countries’ historical ties and expanding economic interests would provide a stronger foundation for increased trade, investment, knowledge-sharing, technological cooperation and people-to-people relations.
Indonesia’s foreign ministry said at least 15 Indonesian companies are active in Nigeria, particularly in food, pharmaceuticals, mining and fast-moving consumer goods.
Dufil Prima Foods, one of the most visible examples of the economic links between the two countries, has Indonesian corporate interests through the Salim Group and its relationship with Indofood. The company has developed manufacturing and backward-integration activities in Nigeria, illustrating how the relationship has evolved beyond simple import-and-export transactions.
The Indonesian embassy has also been facilitating new business links. At the 2025 Trade Expo Indonesia, it helped secure nine trade commitments between Nigerian and Indonesian businesses worth $24.99 million.
For Nigeria, Ahmed said the priority was to convert the longstanding diplomatic relationship into a more productive economic partnership capable of supporting domestic production and attracting sustainable investment.
He identified Indonesia’s experience in industrialisation, manufacturing, digital transformation, infrastructure, agriculture, maritime development and small and medium-sized enterprises as areas where Nigeria could benefit from greater cooperation.
“Nigeria is particularly interested in expanding cooperation that can support the development of local productive capacity, strengthen value chains, promote technology transfer, and attract sustainable investment,” Ahmed said.
He called for stronger links among private-sector organisations, chambers of commerce, financial institutions and business communities in both countries.
Agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, the digital economy and creative industries were identified as sectors with significant potential for expanded trade and investment.
Ahmed also called for the removal of practical barriers to commerce, including market-access difficulties, inadequate business information and weak connectivity between business communities.
Nigeria and Indonesia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1965, with economic and capacity-building cooperation becoming important components of the relationship. Indonesia’s embassy was initially established in Lagos before being relocated to Abuja in 2008, while Nigeria opened its embassy in Jakarta in 1976.
The two countries also have a longstanding connection through South-South cooperation. Both are members of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, established in 1997 by Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Türkiye to promote economic cooperation among developing countries. Indonesia is chairing the organisation for 2026–2027.
Ahmed said the shared platforms could be used more effectively to advance cooperation on sustainable development financing, climate action, food and energy security, technology transfer and reforms to international financial and governance institutions.
He said Nigeria welcomed Indonesia’s engagement in multilateral affairs and stressed the importance of ensuring that developing countries have a stronger voice in global decision-making.
Beyond commerce, Ahmed called for expanded cooperation in education, skills development, science, technology and innovation, particularly because of the large and youthful populations of Nigeria and Indonesia.
He proposed greater exchanges among universities, research institutions, cultural organisations, young professionals and civil society groups, saying such engagements could deepen mutual understanding while creating new opportunities for practical cooperation.
Ahmed said Nigeria wanted stronger bilateral mechanisms, more frequent high-level consultations and greater interaction between the private sectors of both countries.
He also called for enhanced Nigeria-Indonesia engagement within the broader ASEAN-Africa framework, arguing that stronger institutional and economic links between Southeast Asia and Africa could open additional markets and investment opportunities.
With bilateral trade already running into billions of dollars and Indonesian companies maintaining an established presence in Nigeria, the focus of the relationship is increasingly shifting from the volume of trade to the structure and quality of economic engagement.
For Nigeria, the emphasis is on using the relationship to expand local production, attract investment and obtain technology and industrial expertise. For Indonesia, the growing Nigerian market offers opportunities to deepen commercial ties and strengthen its broader engagement with the continent.
Michael Olugbode
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