The Government of India is seeking to strengthen its strategic engagement with Africa through the forthcoming India-Africa Forum Summit, with Nigeria emerging as a key focus of New Delhi’s renewed diplomatic, economic and cultural outreach to the continent.
India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, disclosed this in Abuja while briefing journalists ahead of the fourth edition of the summit scheduled for May 31 in New Delhi.
The summit, returning after a decade-long break, is expected to convene African heads of state, ministers, diplomats, investors, business leaders and cultural stakeholders as India intensifies efforts to deepen its influence across Africa amid increasing global competition for economic and strategic partnerships on the continent.
Singh noted that the last edition of the summit was held in 2015, stressing that both Africa and India have experienced major political and economic shifts since then, making the 2026 gathering particularly significant.
According to the envoy, the summit activities will commence with senior officials’ meetings on May 28, followed by a foreign ministers’ session on May 29 before the leaders’ summit on May 31.
He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has been invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the event.
The High Commissioner described Nigeria as a strategic pillar in India’s Africa policy, citing the country’s economic importance, population strength and regional influence.
Beyond diplomacy, India is also seeking to strengthen commercial and cultural ties with African nations through the summit.
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Singh revealed that the programme would feature business forums, cultural festivals, music and dance exhibitions, as well as Track Two diplomatic engagements involving academics, policy experts and private sector players.
According to him, bilateral trade between Nigeria and India currently stands at between $8 billion and $9 billion annually, although both countries believe there is significant room for growth.
Singh also highlighted India’s growing interest in Nigeria’s entertainment and creative sectors, particularly the global rise of Afrobeats music, which he said presents fresh opportunities for cultural collaboration.
He further emphasised India’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in information and communications technology, noting that India’s expertise in ICT and digital innovation could support economic growth and technological advancement across African economies.