Guinea Unveils $20 Billion Mega Projects, Seeks Nigerian Investment

By Zainab Bakare

The Guinean Ambassador to Nigeria, Siaka Cissoko, says Guinea is currently executing mega projects valued at about 20 billion dollars, calling on Nigerian companies to take advantage of the investment opportunities.

Ambassador Cissoko made the disclosure while receiving members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) who paid a courtesy visit to the Guinean Embassy in Abuja.

He said, “As I speak to you, there is an ongoing mega multibillion-dollar project in Guinea, about $20bn that could be handled by Nigerian companies.”

The envoy underscored the long-standing ties between Nigeria and Guinea and expressed optimism that the new partnership with DICAN would promote greater awareness and participation in Guinea’s economic opportunities.

According to him, “I know, with this new partnership, Nigerians will be aware of the projects and key into it.”

Ambassador Cissoko expressed concern that many Guinean businessmen often bypass Nigeria in favour of countries like India and Pakistan due to lack of proper information.

He said, “Our businessmen always go to India, Pakistan, and other Asian countries to look for $5m to $10m business opportunities that could be gotten in Nigeria because they don’t have comprehensive information.”

Highlighting the need to strengthen bilateral relations, the ambassador praised DICAN for its role in fostering diplomatic and economic cooperation.

“Guinea and Nigeria have a long-lasting bilateral relationship,” Cissoko noted. “It is a good thing that a credible association like yours, the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria, is paying us a courtesy visit.”

He emphasized the importance of bridging the information gap between both countries, pointing out that perceptions of Nigeria in Guinea are often based on Nollywood movies.

The ambassador also revealed that four Nigerian banks — Access, UBA, First Bank, and Polaris — are already operating in Guinea, and called for further collaboration in the mining sector, where both nations are rich in resources.

“We are great mining countries, which Nigerian investors could leverage on the opportunity to invest in our country,” he added.

Ambassador Cissoko pledged Guinea’s readiness to collaborate with DICAN in areas including information exchange, sponsorship, training, and charity projects.

“We will support your charity work to ensure that you affect the lives of the less privileged in society,” Cissoko promised, adding, “I’m pleased to inform you that, whenever we are going there, DICAN will be carried along.”

Responding, DICAN Chairman, Fredrick Idehai, pledged the association’s commitment to promoting economic and diplomatic cooperation between Nigeria and Guinea.

“DICAN is ready to share information on their business investments and development as part of the partnership,” Idehai stated.

He assured the embassy of continuous support, saying, “We will be available to support the embassy at all times.”

Idehai also emphasised DICAN’s commitment to professionalism and ethical journalism.