By Kazeem Waris
Indonesia is seeking to attract more Nigerian investors and deepen bilateral trade through partnerships in renewable energy, manufacturing, agriculture and waste management, as both countries explore opportunities to expand beyond conventional import and export transactions.
Indonesian trade officials said the two countries could unlock significant economic benefits through joint investments, local manufacturing, raw-material processing and stronger government-to-business engagement, while identifying high shipping costs and trade barriers as key obstacles to expanding commercial relations.
Senior Trade Analyst at Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade, Iska Huberta Sinural, made the call while speaking to Nigerian journalists ahead of the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia, scheduled to hold in Jakarta from October 14 to 18, 2026.
Sinural said Indonesia wanted to see more Nigerian businesses participate in its economy, just as Indonesian companies explored investment opportunities in Nigeria.
She said bilateral trade should not be limited to Nigerian imports of Indonesian products but should also accommodate Nigerian exports, investment flows and industrial partnerships in both countries.
According to her, Indonesia is targeting $17.5 billion in transactions at the exhibition, which is expected to bring together more than 600 exhibitors to showcase products and connect with international buyers and investors.
She said the country was particularly interested in expanding its commercial networks across Africa and attracting more buyers from the continent.
Sinural disclosed that Nigeria ranked third among countries represented by buyers at the Indonesian trade exhibition in 2024 and fourth in 2025, figures she said demonstrated the country’s importance to Indonesia’s export ambitions.
She, however, stressed the need for stronger government engagement to translate existing trade agreements into concrete business transactions and investment commitments.
The trade analyst said more regular communication and meetings between officials of both countries would help address obstacles and improve the implementation of existing agreements.
She also acknowledged that attracting international buyers had become more challenging because of geopolitical tensions, global economic conditions and the financial demands on exhibitors.
Sinural said the exhibition would focus on five broad sectors: food, beverages and agricultural products; manufactured goods; industrial estates and services; fashion and handicrafts; and furniture and home decoration.
Also speaking, Muhammad Alpvy of the Export Enhancement Division of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said significant opportunities remained untapped in trade and investment between Indonesia and African countries, particularly 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 production facilities in both countries.
He identified palm oil, rubber products, food ingredients and healthcare manufacturing as areas with potential for stronger commercial partnerships, adding that Nigeria and Indonesia could benefit from processing raw materials into finished products.
He, however, identified high shipping costs and trade barriers as major constraints, noting that the geographical distance between the two countries increased transportation expenses and made some transactions more costly.
Alpvy called for discussions on trade arrangements that could reduce these costs and make long-term commercial partnerships more attractive to businesses.
On investment opportunities, he said Nigerian businesses had expressed interest in renewable energy and waste management, including partnerships to establish production facilities.
He said investors needed clear information on investment structures, tariffs, logistics costs and operating conditions before committing capital to cross-border projects.
Alpvy also encouraged Nigerian businesses to introduce local food and beverages to Indonesian consumers, saying greater awareness of Nigerian products and culture could open additional markets.
He suggested that Nigerian businesses explore ways to adapt their products to Indonesian tastes and consumer preferences, including opportunities to establish Nigerian restaurants and distribute local food products.
He further highlighted the potential for cooperation in renewable energy and waste management, including the conversion of agricultural and animal waste into alternative fuel.
Such partnerships, he said, could deliver longer-term economic benefits beyond immediate import and export transactions.
Nigeria dominates West Java exports
Meanwhile, data presented by Moch. Lukmanul Hakim, Head of the International Trade Division at the Regional Office of Industry and Trade of West Java Province, showed that Nigeria accounted for the largest share of exports from the Indonesian province to the eight African countries under the jurisdiction of Indonesia’s embassy in Abuja during the first eight months of 2026.
According to the presentation, West Java’s total exports to the eight countries rose from $275.78 million in 2024 to $383.61 million in 2025.
Between January and August 2026, exports to the markets stood at $160.17 million, with Nigeria accounting for $109.36 million, or 68.28 per cent of the total.
Ghana accounted for $21.85 million, Togo $14.96 million, Benin $9.59 million, Liberia $3.48 million, Niger $2.94 million and Burkina Faso $930,000.
The figures underscore Nigeria’s importance as a destination for West Java’s products and point to opportunities for expanding trade between Nigerian businesses and Indonesian manufacturers.
Major West Java exports to the markets include processed food, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, electrical equipment, pharmaceutical products, vegetable oils, beverages and machinery.
The presentation also identified Nigerian products with export potential in Indonesia, including cocoa beans, soybean oilcake, soya beans, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, groundnuts, cotton, cocoa paste, aluminium alloys, lead, rubber products and glass containers.
Other opportunities highlighted included electrical energy, insecticides, leather products, ethylene polymers and aluminium waste and scrap.
The list suggests scope for Nigeria to broaden its exports to Indonesia beyond crude oil by developing stronger supply chains for agricultural commodities, manufactured goods and industrial raw materials.
Indonesian officials also raised concerns about difficulties foreign investors could encounter when opening bank accounts in Nigeria to facilitate business transactions.
They expressed hope that the Nigerian government would address the concerns and improve the ease of establishing and sustaining business operations in the country.
The 41st Trade Expo Indonesia, scheduled for October 14 to 18, is expected to bring together exporters, buyers, manufacturers and investors to explore new markets, establish commercial partnerships and strengthen international trade relations.
