Colombia’s vice president, Francia Márquez, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Colombia’s vice president, Francia Márquez, arrived in Abuja yesterday evening, starting a historic three-day official visit to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Colombia. The visit, which began on August 30 and will conclude on September 2, is a significant shift for Colombia, traditionally focused on Latin American and U.S. relations, as it seeks to forge new partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa.
Márquez received a warm ceremonial welcome at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, accompanied by her husband and a delegation of ministers and business leaders. She was dressed in a vibrant outfit blending Colombian and African cultural elements, a symbol of the visit’s emphasis on cultural exchange.
The agenda, outlined by Nigerian authorities, includes high-level talks with Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, and a Nigeria-Colombia Business Forum focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and trade. The focus on AI highlights a global trend, with the 2024 Global AI Summit in Geneva reporting a 15% annual increase in AI-driven trade agreements.
Nigeria, with its rapidly growing tech sector, and Colombia, known for its digital infrastructure advancements, aim to pioneer a South-South collaboration. The visit builds on a 2024 U.S.-Nigeria AI memorandum, which projects Nigeria’s rising role in the global digital economy.
The visit has elicited varied reactions on social media. Many describe it as a major initiative that would bring significant economic opportunities for both countries and strengthen links between Africa and its Diaspora. Nigeria’s vice president, Kashim Shettima, hailed the visit as a chance to unlock mutual growth, with potential bilateral trade agreements and cultural exchanges on the horizon.
As Márquez settles into her first full day in Nigeria, discussions are expected to cover agriculture, education, energy, and women’s empowerment, reflecting shared priorities in sustainable development. On the heels of Tinubu’s recent trip to Brazil and Saint Lucia, Marquez’s visit is clearly redefining Nigeria’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, fostering a partnership rooted in innovation and resilience as the Global South navigate their social and economic aspirations.
