NEPZA Strengthens Partnership with EU, Urges Investment in Special Economic Zones

NEPZA Strengthens Partnership with EU, Urges Investment in Special Economic Zones

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has called for deeper integration of Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) into European value chains to drive industrialisation, economic growth, and shared prosperity.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, made the call on Monday during a trade and investment facilitation meeting held at the European House in Abuja.

Addressing European diplomats and stakeholders, Dr. Ogunyemi described Nigeria’s Free Zones as strategic platforms capable of strengthening EU–Nigeria economic cooperation at a time of major global economic realignment.

“It is a privilege to address this distinguished gathering at a critical moment in global economic history. Our discussion focuses on how Nigeria’s Free Zones, under NEPZA’s strategic framework, can serve as effective platforms for enhancing EU–Nigeria economic cooperation amid ongoing structural changes,” he said.

He noted that as the global order shifts from a predictable, rules-based system to one shaped by evolving alliances and economic pressures, the European Union should increasingly leverage Nigeria’s SEZs to deepen its economic engagement with Africa.

“We recognise the EU’s vision of economic independence and strength founded on diversified, resilient, and strategically aligned partnerships rather than reliance on narrow supply chains or geopolitical arrangements,” Dr. Ogunyemi added.

According to him, increased EU economic activity along Nigeria’s Special Economic Zone corridors would help reduce over-concentration of dependencies, safeguard critical supply chains, and stimulate economic growth across West Africa’s emerging markets.

The NEPZA boss also observed that the EU’s recent economic realignment underscores the need for mutually beneficial partnerships between Europe and Africa, anchored on shared priorities such as industrial development, value addition, and sustainable growth.

“Even as the European Union remains Africa’s leading trade and investment partner—with trade in goods nearing €355 billion in 2024 and trade in services exceeding €100 billion—our relationship is still largely defined by Africa’s export of raw materials. This presents a shared strategic challenge,” he stated.

Dr. Ogunyemi warned that overreliance on primary commodity exports without meaningful value addition constrains industrial growth, limits human capital development, and threatens the long-term sustainability of EU–Africa supply chains.

He stressed that targeted investments in Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones offer a practical pathway to correcting these imbalances while delivering long-term benefits for both partners.

The meeting was attended by Ambassadors of European nations, Heads of Delegation of EU Member States, and representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service.