The Cuban ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Sosa, says Cuba wants to improve the economic ties with Nigeria, which stands weak currently.

"We are happy about our political relations but we are very unhappy about our trade and economic relations with Nigeria," the envoy told journalists in the capital Abuja on Wednesday.

He lauded the political bond between the two countries, saying Nigeria "has always stood by Cuba" in the international community.

To make the relationship solid, stronger economic ties were needed, he said. "We have not been able to have strong trade link with Nigeria. We have to build (it) upon the excellent political relationship," he said.

Sosa declined to give figures on trade volume between the two countries, but indicated Cuba's foreign economic policy was being "geared toward the African market with specific interest in Nigeria".