# Nigeria expands trade, investment and diplomatic ties > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-expands-trade-and-investment-ties > Updated: 2026-08-12T21:38:34.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 13. Since early June 2026, Nigeria has pursued intensive outreach to regional and global partners. This includes Tanzania’s participation in the Food & Beverage West Africa expo to boost agribusiness, and a Liberia-Nigeria Trade and Investment Forum in Lagos focused on AfCFTA opportunities. Economic and digital ties have expanded significantly. The U.S. reported a 14% rise in bilateral trade to nearly $15 billion in 2025, emphasizing a shift toward treating Nigeria as a key economic partner. Cooperation now includes digital infrastructure, AI, and submarine cables. The EU has pledged over €560 million for digital and green projects, alongside a €70 million security package and €25 million for agriculture. Nigerian legislators have also advocated for EU near-shoring models to boost local manufacturing. Diplomatic engagement has seen a surge in joint commissions and bilateral agreements. Nigeria is reviving commissions with Gambia, Senegal, and Portugal, while deepening ties with Rwanda. The Nigeria-Brazil Agro-Trade Initiative has moved into an implementation phase for livestock and soybean productivity. Germany has committed to a programme to convert $1.5 billion in annual gas-flaring losses into domestic energy. Security and human rights remain central to the U.S.-Nigeria relationship. In August 2026, the second session of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group met in Washington to address security and religious freedom concerns, following Nigeria’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC). Discussions led by Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and U.S. Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker focused on protecting Christian communities in the Middle Belt, strengthening judicial accountability, and deepening military cooperation. While the U.S. acknowledged progress in counter-terrorism prosecutions and police training, it highlighted ongoing challenges regarding civilian fatalities and transparency in humanitarian spending. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: US and Nigeria hold security talks to address religious freedom and terrorism The US and Nigeria held high-level security talks in Washington to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation and address religious freedom concerns following Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-and-nigeria-hold-security-and-counter-terrorism-talks ### 2026-07-24: Nigeria deepens ties with Rwanda and EU, announces new security and agricultural aid Nigeria pledged stronger ties with Rwanda and the EU, discussing trade and security cooperation, while the EU unveiled €70 million for Nigerian security and agricultural development. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-deepens-ties-with-rwanda-and-eu-announces-new-security-and-agricultural-aid ### 2026-07-22: Nigeria and Germany deepen bilateral ties with trade boost and energy cooperation Nigeria and Germany reaffirm their partnership in Abuja, noting a 10% trade rise and pledging more German investment in renewable energy, AI, critical minerals and other sectors, while launching a programme to‑ 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-inaugurates-10th-surveyors-council-to-boost-geospatial-governance ### 2026-07-18: Nigeria Revives Joint Commissions with Senegal and Portugal Nigeria pledged to revive its joint commission with Senegal and announced a new Nigeria‑Portugal Joint Commission to boost trade, investment and security cooperation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-revives-joint-commissions-with-senegal-and-portugal ### 2026-07-18: Nigeria and Liberia deepen trade ties at Lagos forum Nigeria and Liberia met in Lagos to strengthen trade under AfCFTA, with officials urging deeper partnerships to boost investment, jobs and growth across key sectors. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-and-liberia-deepen-trade-ties-at-lagos-forum ### 2026-07-15: Nigeria and United States deepen digital economy partnership Nigeria and the US agreed to boost digital infrastructure, AI and talent, while Nigerian leaders highlighted the need for digital skills and preventive health to drive the country’s digital economy. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-and-united-states-deepen-digital-economy-partnership ### 2026-07-14: Nigeria deepens diplomatic ties with the United States and Gambia US envoy Frank Garcia visits Nigeria for security and trade talks, while Nigeria and Gambia agree to revive their joint commission and expand cooperation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-deepens-diplomatic-ties-with-the-united-states-and-gambia ### 2026-07-13: Nigeria's House of Representatives urges EU near‑shoring ties and stronger civil‑society oversight Nigeria’s House of Representatives called for EU near‑shoring cooperation and urged tighter civil‑society oversight of legislative work. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerias-house-of-representatives-urges-eu-nearshoring-ties-and-stronger-civilsociety-oversight ### 2026-07-13: Nigeria and Brazil move agro‑trade initiative to implementation phase Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima said the Nigeria‑Brazil agro‑trade initiative is now in the implementation stage, with operational technical groups and cleared market access for private firms after a ( 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-and-brazil-move-agrotrade-initiative-to-implementation-phase ### 2026-07-03: Nigeria‑US bilateral trade reaches $15 billion in 2025, up 14% U.S. trade with Nigeria rose 14% in 2025 to about $15 billion, making Nigeria America’s second‑largest Sub‑Saharan partner, with over 100 U.S. firms, a five‑year investment partnership and joint security and文化 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeriaus-bilateral-trade-reaches-15-billion-in-2025-up-14 ### 2026-07-02: Nigeria advances economic reforms and green partnership with the EU Nigeria’s Lagos government and ACCI call for reforms and infrastructure spending while the EU pledges €560 m for green industrialisation, proposing a Clean Trade Partnership to boost non‑oil growth. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-advances-economic-reforms-and-green-partnership-with-the-eu ### 2026-06-26: Nigeria deepens trade and investment partnerships with EU and United States Nigeria hosted the Nigeria‑EU Business Forum in Lagos and, days later, the U.S. pledged deeper trade and investment ties, highlighting opportunities across agro‑processing, energy, digital sectors and security‑ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-deepens-trade-and-investment-partnerships-with-eu-and-united-states ### 2026-06-06: Tanzania Pushes Trade Partnership with Nigeria Ahead of FAB West Africa 2026 Expo Tanzania’s High Commission in Abuja announced a push for stronger trade with Nigeria, showcasing its agricultural products at the FAB West Africa 2026 exhibition in Lagos (June 9‑11) to boost bilateral ties and 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tanzania-pushes-trade-partnership-with-nigeria-ahead-of-fab-west-africa-2026-expo --- Cite as: Nigeria expands trade, investment and diplomatic ties. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-expands-trade-and-investment-ties