Germany ready to deepen energy partnership with Nigeria— Wadephul

German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria in energy.

He described the country as a strategic and reliable energy supplier to Europe.

Wadephul, who is currently on an official visit to Nigeria, made this known on Tuesday night at a reception hosted by the German Consulate in Lagos.

The German minister’s visit to Africa, his third in 2026, started from Mauritania on Monday and will end in South Africa on Friday.

On Wednesday, he will meet with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu for a high-level bilateral consultation aimed at strengthening the longstanding relations between both countries.

He said recent geopolitical tensions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz had underscored Nigeria’s growing importance in strengthening Europe’s energy security.

According to him, petroleum product imports from Nigeria in recent weeks have helped offset supply shortfalls in Europe.

He added that in the first half of 2026, Nigeria emerged as one of the most important jet fuel suppliers for Europe.

”Only in June, Nigeria covered 25 per cent of Europe’s jet fuel imports. This is a vivid testimony to the importance of our partnership bilaterally and for the whole of Europe,” he said.

Wadephul said his country intended to build on the existing German-Nigerian Energy Partnership established in 2008 by expanding collaboration in renewable energy.

He said German industries were ready to support Nigeria in reducing its carbon footprint by unlocking the country’s vast gas potential alongside the expansion of renewable energy.

The German foreign minister also commended Nigeria’s contributions to regional security, particularly through its participation in the Multinational Joint Task Force combating terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.

”For many years, Germany has been supporting Nigeria through military training, equipment and funding, including 120 million euros for the regional stabilisation fund for the Lake Chad region,” he said.

The minister, who is in Nigeria with a German business delegation, has described trade and investment hias key pillars of bilateral relations.

Earlier, Mr Christoph Wolfrum, Director of Economic and European Affairs at the German Foreign Ministry and Head of the Business Delegation said Nigeria remained a country of immense economic potential and an important partner for Germany.

”Nigeria is a country full of potential for our bilateral economic relationship. The country is thriving,” he said.

According to him, both countries are already collaborating extensively in energy supply, renewable energy and climate protection.

”There are many more areas for cooperation beyond energy, particularly in the information technology sector.

”We are looking forward to using this opportunity to build new business bonds with Nigerian partners.”

Also speaking, Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO, Siemens for Sub-Saharan Africa and President, German-Africa Business Association said there were opportunities to expand German-Nigerian cooperation in digitalisation and technology.

Dall’Omo said German companies were keen to work with Nigerian firms, particularly in cybersecurity and other digital solutions.

She disclosed that Siemens deliberately adopted a local partnership model for its electricity distribution business in Nigeria to strengthen local capacity.

”We are strongly working with these partners to improve the availability of skills and technology in the Nigerian market,” she said.

She also identified improved financing conditions as key to unlocking greater German investment in Nigeria.

According to her, Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list has boosted investor confidence and can help lower financing costs over time.

”This achievement enables higher levels of trust in the Nigerian economy and should overtime reduce interest rates, which remain a major challenge for projects and businesses,” she added.