Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met with Mr Jack Ma, the co-founder and former Executive Chairman of the China’s Alibaba Group at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.
Ma is in Nigeria as a guest speaker at the first-ever Digital Economy Summit with the theme ‘Leveraging Digital Economy for Trade & Investment’, at the Statehouse Banquet Hall, Abuja, on Thursday and Friday, November 14 and 15.
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment said the summit is in line with the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s drive to diversify the economy and lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over the next 10 years, whilst taking advantage of the opportunities in the digital economy.
Mr. Jack Ma is leading a large delegation of Chinese investors to Nigeria.
In response to Vice President Osinbajo, he explained that he is in the country to honour the VP’s invitation extended to him earlier in Davos, Switzerland.
Jack Ma also expressed desire to assist Africa with particular interest in Nigeria.
He disclosed that he is pursuing a programme which he terms “Four Es” – E-infrastructure, Entrepreneurship, E government and Education.
Alibaba is one of the world’s largest retailer and e-commerce company, and one of the biggest investment corporations in the world.