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Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Bärbel Kofler visits Lagos
Dr. Kofler at the solar energy project at Iponri market Lagos, © This Day Newspaper 2024
From the 7th to 9th of February 2024, the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Dr. Bärbel Kofler visited Lagos after previous trips to Abuja and Jos, Plateau State, in company of Federal Minister Svenja Schulze. Dr. Kofler and her delegation visited Lagos in order to have an impression of the socio-economic development, as well as possible areas to maximise bilateral collaboration. The scope of her visit revolved around professional training, employment initiatives, women empowerment and activities of German companies in Lagos.
NITDA Information Technology Hub (NITHUB) University of Lagos
This visit served as an opportunity for GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) to present the digital technology centre located within the University of Lagos. This centre focuses on developing innovation by supporting start-ups in order to digitally transform their small and medium scale enterprises. Through discussions with young entrepreneurs, the difficulties faced by women-run SMSEs in receiving financial support such as bank loans, were highlighted. It was also an avenue for some beneficiaries of the NITHUB to showcase their remarkable start-ups to all those present.
Lagos State Employment Trust Fund
The LSETF (Lagos State Employment Trust Fund), with support from GIZ, aides the creation of employment in Lagos State. During a brief meeting with Dr. Kofler and the delegation, the LSETF discussed about their programmes and support for medium and small-scale enterprises through skills acquisition trainings and skills assessments.
Tony Elumelu Foundation
Dr. Kofler and the delegation were hosted by Mr. Tony Elumelu, renowned Nigerian finance expert and empowerment philanthropist. The TEF foundation continues to promote African entrepreneurs, women empowerment and trainings. Considering its cooperation with DEG (Die Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft) and GIZ, Tony Elumelu Foundation lauded the German government for its impact in the economic sector in Nigeria and envisages more impactful collaboration.
Solar Energy Project at Iponri Market
This solar energy project provides clean energy solutions to some parts of the Iponri market in Surulere, Lagos. The visit comprised of a guided tour of the market by Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Sustainable Energy for All, Mr. Chinua Azubuike, CEO of Infracredit as well as representatives of Solad Power. Dr. Kofler and her delegation interacted with some of the traders and small business owners, who had benefited from the solar project. She was also able to see first-hand the effects of the switch from petrol generators to solar energy on the lives and businesses of the traders.
BASF Laboratories
The final point of visit for Parliamentary State Secretary Kofler was the BASF laboratory in Lagos. BASF is a leading German chemical company that not only focuses on chemicals but also industrial solutions, surface technologies, nutrition & care and agricultural solutions. The delegation was given a tour of its ethnic care cosmetics lab and the waste to chemicals lab. The tour sparked insightful discussions surrounding BASF’s role in converting and recycling waste in Lagos into a wide variety of useful raw materials.