Tuggar Advocates Financial Inclusion, Global Partnership at FFD4 in Spain

Tuggar Advocates Financial Inclusion, Global Partnership at FFD4 in Spain

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has advocated for financial inclusion and global partnerships during his address at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Spain.

Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to economic empowerment and the strategic enhancement of its development finance institutions.

Tuggar emphasized the importance of scaling up the capacity of institutions such as the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture to better support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). He particularly highlighted the need to focus on women and youth-led businesses, stating, “Our efforts are geared towards creating an enabling environment for these enterprises to thrive, as they are crucial for job creation and economic growth.”

On the sidelines of the conference, Tuggar served as the keynote speaker at the launch of the Green Guarantee Group (GGG), where he reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to green financing and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

“We recognize the importance of sustainable practices in our economic development, and we are dedicated to integrating green financing into our growth strategies,” he remarked.

The Minister also participated in high-level bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s international partnerships. In a significant meeting with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), discussions focused on enhancing collaboration to support job creation and the growth of SMEs in Nigeria. Both parties agreed in principle to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would provide interest-free loans and broader support for small businesses.

Additionally, during a meeting with Sweden’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tuggar sought technical expertise from Sweden for the implementation of Nigeria’s newly signed tax reform policy. He also requested Sweden’s support for Nigeria’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2030–2031 term.