Bilateral trade between Nigeria and China surged by 34.7% to reach $15.48 billion between January and July 2025, compared with the same period in 2024.
This was disclosed by Ms. Yan Yuqing, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, during a reception on Sunday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Yuqing noted that Nigeria is now China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, a development she attributed to stronger economic ties and the elevation of relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit.
“Nigeria and China, guided by the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit, have achieved remarkable results,” Yuqing said. “From January to July 2025, bilateral trade reached US$15.483 billion, marking a 34.7% year-on-year increase, with Nigeria becoming China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa.”
She highlighted expanding cooperation across infrastructure, investment, trade, energy resources, culture, and education, stressing that these efforts are bringing tangible benefits to citizens of both nations.
China’s Resilience and Local Impact
The envoy also revealed that China’s economy grew by 5.3% in the first half of 2025, showing resilience despite global economic headwinds.
She commended the Chinese community in Nigeria for their role in local development, cultural exchanges, and charitable initiatives, urging them to act as bridge-builders in strengthening ties between both countries.
According to her, China–Nigeria relations are currently at their “best in history”, with significant prospects for future cooperation.
China remains Nigeria’s largest import partner, supplying goods worth N4.96 trillion in Q2 2025. This figure is more than double Nigeria’s imports from the United States, which stood at N2.16 trillion.
Asia accounted for 50% of Nigeria’s total imports, with China at the forefront, followed by India, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates.
Key highlights include:
- Manufactured imports from China totaled N7.88 trillion, reflecting Nigeria’s reliance on foreign industrial inputs.
- Agricultural imports amounted to N1.18 trillion, largely driven by wheat imports from Canada and Russia.
- The bulk of Chinese exports to Nigeria included machinery, refined petroleum products, and telecommunication equipment, underscoring China’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s industrial and consumer goods supply chain.
As both nations deepen cooperation, analysts believe the trade relationship could expand further, especially with Nigeria’s ongoing push for industrialization and China’s sustained investments in infrastructure and energy.
With bilateral ties now anchored under a strategic partnership, the prospects for increased investment and mutual growth appear stronger than ever.
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