Indonesia seeks Nigerian investors, eyes stronger trade ties
By Favour Ulebor, Jakarta
Indonesia is seeking increased investment from Nigerian businesses and stronger bilateral cooperation in renewable energy, waste management, manufacturing and agriculture, while expressing willingness to invest in Nigeria, and expand trade, industrial partnerships between both countries.
Speaking to Nigerian journalists ahead of the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia on Tuesday in Jakarta, Senior Trade Analyst at Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade, Iska Huberta Sinural, said bilateral trade should go beyond Nigeria importing Indonesian products to include Nigerian exports, investments and business partnerships in Indonesia.
Sinural said the country was targeting $17.5 billion in transactions at the exhibition, which would bring together more than 600 exhibitors to showcase products and explore business opportunities with international buyers and investors.
She said Indonesia was particularly interested in attracting buyers from Africa and expanding its business networks beyond traditional markets, while encouraging Nigerian investors to explore opportunities in the Indonesian economy.
The analyst said Nigeria had remained among the leading countries in terms of buyers attending the Indonesian trade exhibition, ranking third in 2024 and fourth in 2025, according to figures she presented during the interview.
Sinural said the two countries could achieve more through stronger government engagement, noting that trade agreements needed to translate into practical business transactions and investment commitments.
She explained that Indonesia wanted officials from partner countries to deepen communication and hold more meetings to implement existing agreements.
Sinural said attracting buyers had become increasingly challenging because of geopolitical tensions, global economic conditions and the financial demands on exhibitors. She added that the organisers were focusing on sectors with export potential and seeking reliable exhibitors capable of meeting buyers’ requirements.
According to her, the exhibition will feature five broad areas, including food, beverages and agricultural products; manufactured goods; industrial estates and services; fashion and handicrafts; and furniture and home decoration.
Also speaking, a member of the Export Enhancement Division of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Alpvy, said there were significant untapped opportunities for trade and investment between Indonesia and African countries, including Nigeria.
Alpvy said Indonesian businesses were interested in expanding cooperation beyond existing commodity transactions to include manufacturing, renewable energy, waste management and the establishment of factories in Nigeria and Indonesia.
He identified palm oil, rubber products, food ingredients and healthcare manufacturing as areas with opportunities for expanded trade, adding that both countries could also explore ways to process raw materials into finished products.
Alpvy said high shipping costs and trade barriers remained major challenges to trade between Nigeria and Indonesia, noting that the distance between the two countries increased transportation expenses.
He called for further discussions on trade arrangements that would reduce these costs and make it easier for businesses to establish long-term commercial relationships.
On investment, Alpvy said Nigerian businesses had expressed interest in renewable energy and waste management, including partnerships that could support the establishment of production facilities.
He explained that businesses needed clear arrangements on investment structures, tariffs, shipping costs and other operating conditions to make cross-border investments sustainable.
Alpvy also urged Nigerian businesses to introduce local food and beverages to Indonesian consumers, saying greater awareness of Nigerian products and culture could open new markets for both countries.
He said Nigerian businesses could adapt their products to Indonesian tastes and consumer preferences, while exploring opportunities to establish Nigerian restaurants and introduce local food products to the market.
Alpvy further highlighted opportunities in renewable energy and waste management, including the production of alternative fuel from agricultural and animal waste.
He said stronger cooperation in these sectors could create long-term benefits beyond immediate import and export transactions.
Separately, Head of International Trade Division at the Regional Office of Industry and Trade of West Java Province, Moch. Lukmanul Hakim, presented data showing growth in the province’s exports to countries within the jurisdiction of the Indonesian Embassy in Abuja, with Nigeria accounting for the largest share of exports recorded during the first eight months of 2026.
According to the presentation, West Java’s total exports to the eight countries covered by the Abuja office rose from $275.78 million in 2024 to $383.61 million in 2025.
The data further showed that exports to the eight countries amounted to $160.17 million between January and August 2026, of which Nigeria accounted for $109.36 million, representing 68.28 per cent of the total.
Other destinations included Ghana, which accounted for $21.85 million, Benin with $9.59 million, Liberia with $3.48 million, Niger with $2.94 million, Togo with $14.96 million and Burkina Faso with $930,000.
The presentation also highlighted West Java’s major export commodities, including processed food products, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, electrical equipment, pharmaceutical products, vegetable oils, beverages and machinery.
The figures underscored Nigeria’s importance as a destination for West Java’s exports and the scope for both countries to explore further trade and investment opportunities.
The presentation also identified potential Nigerian products for export to Indonesia, including cocoa beans, soybean oilcake, soya beans, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, groundnuts, cotton, cocoa paste, aluminium alloys, lead, rubber-related products and glass containers.
Other products highlighted on the export potential map included electrical energy, insecticides, leather products, ethylene polymers and waste and scrap aluminium, pointing to opportunities for Nigeria to diversify its exports to Indonesia beyond crude oil.
The Indonesian side also identified challenges associated with Nigeria’s banking system, particularly the difficulties foreign investors may encounter when seeking to open bank accounts to facilitate business transactions.
The officials expressed hope that the Nigerian government would look into the concerns to make it easier for foreign businesses to establish operations and sustain commercial relationships in the country.
The 41st Trade Expo Indonesia is scheduled to hold from October 14 to 18, 2026, bringing together exporters, buyers, manufacturers and investors to explore trade and investment opportunities.
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