Nigeria Risks Missing China’s $18bn Export Window, Experts Warn
Michael Olugbode in Abuja Nigeria risks squandering a potentially transformative opening in the Chinese market unless it urgently fixes its production, processing and export capacity, stakeholders warned on Friday as
Nigeria risks missing a $18 billion export window in China unless it addresses production, processing, and export capacity, experts warned as China's zero-tariff regime opened a new trade opportunity. Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai disclosed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and China hit $18 billion in the first half of 2026, with Chinese imports from Nigeria increasing by 80% to $2.3 billion after the zero-tariff policy took effect on May 1.
However, the seminar on the policy highlighted structural weaknesses that could prevent Nigeria from turning preferential access into sustained export earnings, industrial growth, and job creation. Yu emphasized the need for Nigeria to produce what the Chinese market wants in the required quantity and quality, while Onunaiju warned that the preferential access could become another missed opportunity if Nigeria fails to reform its production and trade systems.
The federal government urged Nigeria to move from exporting raw materials to exporting value, pushing for investments in factories, processing plants, technology centers, logistics networks, and skilled employment. Agriculture was identified as a critical area for Nigeria to capitalize on, with the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security listing processed cassava, rice, spices, shea products, and other commodities as potential high-value exports to China.
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