Thailand Targets Nigeria and Ethiopia for Trade and Investment

Thansettakij•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand is expanding its economic presence in Africa through strategic trade and investment missions to Nigeria and Ethiopia.

•Sihasak is scheduled to meet high-level officials in Abuja and lead a business forum in Lagos, Nigeria.
•Thai delegations will meet with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African Union representatives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
•Thailand experienced a trade deficit of 31,925 million baht with Nigeria in the first six months of 2026.
•Thailand maintained a trade surplus of 1,902 million baht with Ethiopia in the first six months of 2026.

•Sihasak will meet with the Vice President, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja.
•Thai business delegations will participate in the Thailand–Nigeria Business Forum in Lagos and the Thailand–Ethiopia: Building Business Bridges event in Addis Ababa.
•Thai-Nigeria trade in 2025 totaled 39,203 million baht, with Thailand importing 31,387 million baht and exporting 7,816 million baht.
•In the first six months of 2026, Thai-Nigeria trade rose to 39,277 million baht, resulting in a trade deficit of 31,925 million baht.
•In the first six months of 2026, Thai-Ethiopia trade reached 2,209 million baht, with Thailand recording a surplus of 1,902 million baht.
•Wisit identified the payment system as a major obstacle because trade with several African countries must pass through third-country banks like those in Dubai.
•EXIM Bank will study financial structures and find ways to support Thai entrepreneurs to reduce costs and unlock trade.
•Thailand seeks to offer an alternative to African nations wanting to diversify risk and reduce reliance on China's infrastructure investments.

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Sihasak(สีหศักดิ์)

A representative scheduled to meet officials in Abuja and lead a business forum in Lagos.

Wisit(วิศิษฐ์)ℹ️

A person who highlighted payment system obstacles in trade between Thailand and African countries.

Nigeria(ไนจีเรีย)ℹ️

A strategic market in West Africa and a source of energy raw materials for Thailand.

Ethiopia(เอธิโอเปีย)ℹ️

An African market showing prominent growth trends in trade with Thailand.

Abuja(อาบูจา)ℹ️

The city where Sihasak is scheduled to meet the Vice President and other officials.

Lagos(เลกอส)ℹ️

The city hosting the Thailand–Nigeria Business Forum.

Addis Ababa(แอดดิสอาบาบา)ℹ️

The city hosting the Thailand–Ethiopia: Building Business Bridges event.

Dubai(ดูไบ)ℹ️

A location of third-country banks used for payments in Thai-African trade.

China(จีน)ℹ️

A major player in the African market that invests in infrastructure.

An organization whose commission chairperson is scheduled to meet Sihasak.

African Unionℹ️

An organization whose high-level representatives will be consulted in Ethiopia.

EXIM Bank

An organization tasked with studying financial structures to support Thai entrepreneurs in Africa.