Nigeria Risks Losing $18bn Trade Opportunity with China

Nigeria faces the risk of missing a transformative $18 billion trade opportunity with China unless it urgently addresses its production, processing, and export capacity. This warning follows China's implementation of a zero-tariff regime on May 1, which has opened a new trade window for African countries.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, reported that bilateral trade reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, with Nigerian exports to China increasing by 80% to $2.3 billion. However, stakeholders at a seminar organized by the Centre for China Studies urged Nigeria to confront its structural weaknesses to convert this preferential access into sustainable export earnings and industrial growth.

Yu highlighted that while tariff elimination has provided savings on exports, meeting Chinese market standards and ensuring reliable supply is crucial for long-term success. Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Centre for China Studies, warned that without reforming production and trade systems, Nigeria risks another missed opportunity.