India’s strategic focus on West Africa

Last Updated06/12/2024

In September 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strategic stop in Nigeria on his way to Brazil for the G-20 Summit. This visit marks his first trip to Africa in his third term and is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years.
The reception in Nigeria was warm, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally welcoming Modi and conferring upon him the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, Nigeria’s second-highest national award.

India and Nigeria share a long history of partnership, and Modi’s visit underscored the importance of their relationship. Nigeria, the largest economy and democracy in Africa, plays a significant role in the African Union and is considered a key player in West Africa.
Modi and Tinubu discussed strengthening ties across several sectors, including defense, energy, technology, trade, health, and education. India has also shown interest in supporting Nigeria's security challenges, particularly in counterterrorism efforts.

A key focus of the visit was defense cooperation. Nigeria has shown increasing interest in purchasing arms from India, building on previous defense-related engagements. This follows an Indian defense industry delegation’s visit to Lagos earlier in 2024.
Over the past decades, India has also supported Nigeria through concessional loans and capacity-building programs, contributing to Nigeria’s development in a manner that reflects India's diplomatic approach.

Despite India’s strategic ties, China’s presence in Nigeria is significant. Nigeria hosts over 200 Chinese companies and remains China’s largest trading partner in Africa. China has invested in multiple infrastructural projects, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Abuja Light Rail.
However, India remains a key player in Nigeria’s development, with ongoing collaborations despite challenges, such as the decline in trade due to rising oil imports from Russia.

While India’s ties with Nigeria remain robust, continued efforts are needed to translate goodwill into concrete results. Modi’s visit has brought attention to Nigeria’s importance in India’s foreign policy, and strengthening this relationship will benefit both nations and the broader Global South