NEPZA Seeks Stronger EU Collaboration, Encourages Investment in Special Economic Zones for Shared Growth

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has urged the European Union (EU) to integrate Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) into European value chains as a strategy to drive economic growth, industrialisation and shared prosperity.

The call was made on Monday by the Managing Director of NEPZA, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, during a trade and investment facilitation meeting held at the European House in Abuja.
Addressing participants at the meeting, Dr. Ogunyemi said it was an honour to speak at such a significant time in global economic history, noting that the engagement focused on how Nigeria’s Free Zones, guided by NEPZA’s strategic framework, could serve as viable platforms for strengthening EU–Nigeria economic cooperation in the face of ongoing structural changes.
He explained that as the global economic system evolves from a predictable, rules-based order to one influenced by shifting alliances and economic pressures, the European Union should increasingly harness Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones to expand and deepen the existing partnership between both sides.
Dr. Ogunyemi acknowledged that EU leaders have consistently promoted a vision of European economic independence and resilience anchored on diversified and strategically aligned partnerships, rather than dependence on limited global suppliers or geopolitical arrangements.
According to him, increased EU economic engagement along Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones corridors would help reduce dependency concentration, protect critical supply chains, and enhance economic interaction across West Africa’s fast-growing regions.
The NEPZA Chief Executive Officer also noted that recent efforts by the EU to reposition its economy underscored the importance of building mutually beneficial partnerships based on shared priorities between Europe and Africa, adding that greater exploration of Special Economic Zones could fast-track common economic gains.
He further stated that despite the European Union remaining Africa’s largest partner in trade and investment — with goods trade between both regions nearing €355 billion in 2024 and services trade exceeding €100 billion — the continued dominance of raw material exports from Africa remains a major strategic concern.
Dr. Ogunyemi observed that excessive reliance on primary commodities, without substantial value addition, constrains industrial development, weakens human capital growth and poses risks to the long-term sustainability of EU–Africa supply chains. He stressed that increased investment in Nigeria’s economic zones could help correct these structural imbalances.
The meeting was attended by ambassadors of European countries, heads of delegation of EU member states, as well as representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service.