President Tinubu will leave Nigeria in early September. He is going to China for the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. This is his first official trip to China to make strong friends and business partners with the Asian country.
This news comes from the National Television Authority (NTA). They posted it on their official X (once called Twitter) account.
Tinubu just came back from a visit to France and now, he will go to the forum in the first week of next month, says NTA.
“President Tinubu will go to China and attend the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation in the first week of September,” the statement said.
What is the China-Africa Cooperation Forum?
The China-Africa Cooperation Forum, also called FOCAC, is a place where China and friendly African countries talk and work together. It’s a way for developing countries to help each other.
The forum has two main goals. First, to make more consultations and work together in a practical way. Second, to have political talks and economic partnerships to help each other grow.
The Forum started with ministers from different countries. They have met four times so far: the first time in Beijing, China, in October 2000, the second time in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in December 2003, the third time back in Beijing in November 2006, and the fourth time in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2009.
The 2006 meeting was special because it celebrated 60 years of Africa and China being friends. It was at this meeting that the Heads of State and Government joined.
FOCAC meets every three years, taking turns between an African country and China.
During these meetings, China talks about its One China Principle and shows support for the African Union and United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Why is this important?
China has become an important partner for Nigeria and other African countries. China’s influence in Africa is growing a lot.
China is helping build many infrastructure projects in Africa. This is mainly through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is a big part of its investment plans abroad.
In Nigeria, China is especially active in funding and building big road and rail projects. This makes China a key player in building things in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Many of the roads in Nigeria are being worked on by Chinese companies and engineers.