By Gloria IkibahGuinea’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Siaka Cissoko, has said that his country has ongoing projects worth about $20 billion, and Nigerian companies are welcome to take part.He shared this during a visit by members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) to the Guinean Embassy in Abuja.Cissoko spoke about the long-standing ties between Nigeria and Guinea, and said it was time both countries did more together, especially in business.He also pointed out that many Guinean businesspeople tend to overlook Nigeria when looking for partners, and he hopes that will change going forward.
He said: “As I speak to you, there is an ongoing mega multibillion-dollar project in Guinea, about $20bn that could be handled by Nigerian companies.
“I know, with this new partnership, Nigerians will be aware of the projects and key into it.”
“Our businessmen always go to India, Pakistan, and other Asian countries to look for $5m to $10m business opportunities that could be gotten in Nigeria because they don’t have comprehensive information,” he said.
He emphasised the need to deepen ties between Guinea and Nigeria by working closely with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria.
According to the ambassador, the association can play a key role in helping people from both countries understand each other better. He also pointed out that Nigerian banks like Access Bank, UBA, First Bank, and Polaris are already operating in Guinea. Cissoko added that both countries, being rich in minerals, have great potential to work together in the mining sector.“In Guinea, many people form their views of Nigeria mainly through Nollywood films. But with this kind of partnership, they can learn more about the country beyond what they see on screen.
“Guinea and Nigeria have a long-lasting bilateral relationship. “It is a good thing that a credible association like yours, the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria, is paying us a courtesy visit.
“We are great mining countries, which Nigerian investors could leverage on the opportunity to invest in our country,” he said.
The ambassador pledged Guinea’s readiness to work with the association in various areas, including information exchange, sponsorship, training, and charity work.
“We will support your charity work to ensure that you affect the lives of the less privileged in society,” Cissoko said. He also extending an invitation for the association to explore and report on the Guinean community in Nigeria.
In response, the Chairman of DICAN, Comrade Fredrick Idehai, pledged the association’s commitment to partnering with the Guinean Embassy in Nigeria.
“DICAN is ready to share information on their business investments and development as part of the partnership.
“We will be available to support the embassy at all times”, he asserted.
Guinea and Nigeria have historically maintained generally strong diplomatic relations, particularly since Guinea’s independence in 1958. Both nations share close ties within the West African region, and both countries have been actively supporting each other’s development and played key roles in regional initiatives.