A delegation from the Taiwan-Africa Business Association (TABA) announced plans to visit Nigeria later this year to deepen trade relations and sign investment agreements with government agencies and private sector players.
Chairman Chih-Peng Huang disclosed the plans during an interaction with Nigerian journalists in Taiwan, who are on an official visit facilitated by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taiwan Trade Mission in Nigeria.
Huang said the association is targeting multi-billion naira investments in solar energy and renewable power projects, citing Nigeria’s electricity deficit as a major opportunity.
He stated that TABA is already engaging Nigerian representatives to understand priority sectors for investment, which will guide future collaboration.
According to Huang, solar energy presents a viable solution to power shortages across Africa and would receive wide acceptance in Nigeria.
He noted the presence of about 80 Taiwanese investment projects in Nigeria as evidence of the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
“The fact that Taiwanese firms are already operating in Nigeria shows confidence in the market. We use this as a reference point to encourage more investors to explore opportunities in the country,” he said.
Huang disclosed that preliminary plans for a solar power project are underway, with a construction site identified and a leading Taiwanese engineering firm involved in the process.
He said discussions are ongoing with relevant Nigerian authorities, expressing optimism that tangible progress would be achieved within one to two years.
The project is expected to be executed by Everlum Co., with a focus on integrating resources for the local manufacturing of solar panels to support electricity generation.
Huang, a former diplomat who once served as Taiwan’s envoy to Vietnam, said the association is actively engaging Nigerian government agencies to facilitate the establishment of the solar plants and other investment initiatives.
He acknowledged that Taiwan had historically paid limited attention to Africa, attributing this to the continent’s relatively small share—less than one per cent—of Taiwan’s global trade.
“Our bilateral trade with Nigeria is about $204 million. But we now recognise Africa’s rapid growth, large population and abundant resources. The continent is increasingly seen as the future,” he said.
TABA Executive Supervisor David Lin noted that many investors still lack sufficient understanding of African markets.
“A lot of people are not aware that Africa’s GDP is growing at about 4 per cent, with a population of over 1.5 billion. Nigeria alone has more than 200 million people,” he said.
Lin added that feedback from over 75 Taiwanese companies operating in Nigeria has been largely positive, suggesting that the country offers a conducive business environment.
The planned visit comes as Nigerian authorities intensify efforts to attract foreign investment, with increased diplomatic and trade engagements aimed at positioning the country as a preferred destination for global investors.
