Guinea is seeking Nigerian investors for ongoing mega projects worth $20 billion.
The Guinean Ambassador to Nigeria, Siaka Cissoko, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) to the Guinean Embassy in Abuja.
Cissoko revealed, “As I speak to you, there is an ongoing mega multibillion-dollar project in Guinea, about $20 billion that could be handled by Nigerian companies.”
He emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and leveraging economic opportunities, adding, “I know, with this new partnership, Nigerians will be aware of the projects and key into it.”
The envoy expressed concern over missed opportunities, pointing out that, “Our businessmen always go to India, Pakistan, and other Asian countries to look for $5 million to $10 million business opportunities that could be gotten in Nigeria because they don’t have comprehensive information.”
He also noted the need to improve Guinea’s perception of Nigeria, saying, “Most of our people in Guinea build their opinion of Nigeria based on the Nollywood movies they are exposed to, but with this partnership, they will get to know more positive things about the country.”
Cissoko further revealed that four Nigerian banks — Access Bank, UBA, First Bank, and Polaris — are already operating in Guinea, while calling for expanded cooperation in the mining sector. “We are great mining countries, which Nigerian investors could leverage on the opportunity to invest in our country,” he added.
On collaboration with DICAN, the ambassador pledged, “We will support your charity work to ensure that you affect the lives of the less privileged in society… whenever we are going there, DICAN will be carried along.”
In response, DICAN Chairman, Fredrick Idehai, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to the partnership, stating, “DICAN is ready to share information on their business investments and development as part of the partnership.”
He pledged continued support, adding, “We will be available to support the embassy at all times.” Idehai emphasized the association’s professionalism, noting, “DICAN don’t play politics as they are professionals that keep to the ethics of its practice.”
He concluded by stressing the need for proactive information sharing, remarking, “You may have the best of information about your country but if you don’t push it out, no one will know what you are doing.”
Guinea and Nigeria have maintained close diplomatic relations since Guinea’s independence in 1958, with both countries actively contributing to regional integration and development within West Africa
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