By Kazeem Waris
Bilateral trade between Nigeria and China rose to $18 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 35 per cent increase, as both countries moved to deepen economic cooperation in trade, technology, energy and infrastructure.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, disclosed this on Wednesday night in Abuja at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Yu said Chinese imports from Nigeria recorded an even sharper increase, surging 81 per cent during the period.
“In the first half of this year, bilateral trade reached $18 billion (up 35%), with Chinese imports from Nigeria surging 81%,” the ambassador said.
He attributed the growth to stronger economic ties between the two countries, pointing to recent agreements on economic partnership and aquatic exports as providing greater institutional support for bilateral trade.
The ambassador also highlighted China’s decision to grant zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries, effective May 1, saying the policy had opened fresh opportunities for African producers and exporters seeking access to the Chinese market.
According to Yu, China’s imports from Africa rose by 24 per cent in May and June following implementation of the zero-tariff policy.
He urged Nigeria and China to further expand cooperation in industrialisation, digital technology and the green and blue economies.
Yu said China was prepared to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while identifying artificial intelligence, digital payments and renewable energy as areas with potential to accelerate development.
The ambassador said relations between Nigeria and China had grown closer since the establishment of diplomatic ties 55 years ago, describing the partnership as one built on mutual respect and shared interests.
Nigeria Wants More Exports
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Power and Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, said Nigeria must ensure that rising bilateral trade translates into stronger domestic production and increased Nigerian exports to China.
Tegbe urged Nigerian businesses to seize the opportunities created by China’s zero-tariff policy and increase both the volume and value of goods shipped to the Chinese market.
“Our shared task is to translate that assets into stronger Nigerian production and Nigerian exports to China,” he said.
The minister said Nigeria also valued China’s role in infrastructure development through investment, financing and engineering.
He identified electricity, renewable energy and local manufacturing of power equipment as key areas where both countries could deepen cooperation.
Tegbe, however, stressed that Chinese investment should go beyond infrastructure delivery to include the development of Nigerian engineers and technicians and the strengthening of local enterprises.
He said building local technical capacity would enable Nigeria to operate and maintain infrastructure developed through the partnership while creating a stronger domestic industrial base.
Tegbe reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China principle, saying the relationship between the two countries should continue to expand through mutual respect, trade, investment and technical cooperation.
With bilateral trade reaching $18 billion in six months, both sides are now looking to convert the expanding commercial relationship into greater Nigerian production, exports, technology transfer and industrial capacity.
