President Bola Tinubu has set a $1 billion trade and investment target for Nigeria’s participation in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan.

Leading Nigeria’s delegation, Tinubu said the visit was aimed at promoting green innovation, fostering industrial growth, and positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s gateway.

Posting on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, the President stressed that Nigeria’s engagement at TICAD9 was “strategic and deliberate, not ceremonial.”

“At TICAD9, themed ‘Co-create innovative solutions with Africa’, Nigeria comes with clarity of purpose. Our goal is to unlock over $1 billion in trade and investment, advance green innovation, create youth opportunities, and reinforce Nigeria as West Africa’s hub,” he wrote.

He described the summit as “a launchpad for lasting development and global collaboration, anchored on technology, trust, and talent.”

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to lead Africa’s economic transformation, declaring: “Nigeria will lead, and Africa will rise.”

Jointly organised by Japan and its development partners, TICAD9 brings together African leaders, investors, and multilateral institutions to promote sustainable growth and strengthen partnerships.

This marks Tinubu’s first official visit to Japan since assuming office in May 2023, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to deeper economic ties with Japan and greater private sector investment.