Kalu Urges Europe: Bring Tech Transfer for Jobs, End Youth Exodus

By Ifeyinwa Ike

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has advocated for technology transfer and local manufacturing partnerships with European nations to leverage Nigeria’s raw materials, generate jobs for its youth, and reduce irregular migration.

Kalu voiced this during a courtesy visit from an European parliamentarian delegation under the First Step Forum, led by Marc Jost, to bolster bilateral ties and tackle global challenges.

Championing near-shoring, he urged relocating technology, finance, and industry to raw material sources like Africa.

“We have a huge youth population, your capital and tech, and our raw materials. Why not practice near-shoring?” Kalu asked.

He defined near-shoring as processing resources locally instead of exporting them raw transforming cocoa into chocolate and lithium into EV batteries right here.

“Why export cocoa when you can bring tech and finance to turn it into chocolate factories on our farms? That’s value addition and jobs,” he said.

Kalu spotlighted Nigeria’s world-class lithium deposits, pushing for battery production amid the clean energy shift.

He called for a fresh Africa-Europe partnership, leaving history behind for mutual respect and prosperity.

On Nigeria’s religious diversity, Kalu hailed it as a strength, “It’s not a disadvantage, it’s beautiful coloration for balanced governance.”

He praised President Bola Tinubu’s inclusivity, noting policies and actions like the First Lady’s attendance at a new National Assembly chapel unveiling.