India is repositioning its engagement with Africa, placing Nigeria at the centre of a renewed diplomatic, economic and cultural push tied to the 2026 India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi.

India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, said the summit—returning after a 10-year break—will gather African leaders, ministers, investors and cultural figures as India looks to expand its footprint on the continent.

He noted that the last summit was held in 2015 and said shifts in both African and Indian economies make the upcoming meeting more significant.

The event is scheduled to begin with senior officials’ sessions on May 28, followed by foreign ministers on May 29, before the main summit on May 31.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been invited by Narendra Modi to lead Nigeria’s delegation.

India described Nigeria as a strategic anchor in its Africa policy, with plans to deepen ties beyond diplomacy into trade, culture and technology.

Bilateral trade between both countries currently stands at about $8–9 billion annually, with both sides targeting further growth.

The summit will also feature business forums, cultural showcases, and academic engagements, while India is increasing focus on Nigeria’s entertainment sector, especially Afrobeats.

It added that collaboration in ICT and digital innovation will be a major area of expansion, leveraging India’s global strength in the tech sector.