German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is set to arrive in Abuja on Wednesday at the start of a four-day visit to Africa that takes in Nigeria, South Africa and Lesotho.
Steinmeier is scheduled to meet Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) President Omar Touray in the Nigerian capital before receiving an official welcome from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ahead of the visit, Steinmeier’s office described Nigeria and South Africa as two of the most important economic players on the African continent. The German president is to be accompanied by a business delegation.
The visit aims to enhance bilateral political and economic ties.
Nigeria carried great diplomatic weight and was an anchor of stability in West Africa, Steinmeier’s office said. The German president will also show appreciation to South Africa for taking over the G20 presidency earlier this month at a difficult time, it said.
At the trip’s conclusion, Steinmeier will become the first German head of state to visit the landlocked mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
King Letsie III issued the invitation to Steinmeier during a visit to Germany last year.
