Nigeria’s Exports to China Jump 81% After Tariffs End

Nigerian exports to China surged 81% in the first half of 2026 to US$2.25 billion, according to China's Consul General in Lagos, Yan Yuqing. This marked increase followed China's decision on May 1 to end tariffs on all products from 53 African nations, including Nigeria. Two-way trade between China and Nigeria reached US$17.4 billion, a 35% rise compared to the same period last year. Chinese direct investment in Nigeria also jumped 103% to US$690 million over the past year.

The consul general attributed the growth to the tariff removal, which she described as part of China's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation plan for 2025-2027. However, there is no breakdown of the figures to show whether Nigerian exports are increasingly non-oil goods. Nigeria historically exports crude oil and gas to China, with these commodities dominating the trade balance. The consul general's comments do not separate oil from the rest of Nigeria's exports.

Nigeria has been seeking to diversify its exports beyond crude oil for three years, with potential products including sesame, yam, cassava, and palm wine. However, meeting Chinese quality and certification standards is a significant challenge for Nigerian agricultural exporters, as reported by Punch. The tariff access may have removed a cost barrier, but it does not guarantee a successful supply chain. The gains are likely to be concentrated among firms with existing logistics networks.

The policy applies to 53 African countries, so Nigerian sesame competes with other African exports on the same terms, diluting any preferential treatment. The test will be whether Chinese customs releases confirm the upward trend when full-year figures are released. Until then, the claim is that duty-free access is now in place, and Chinese officials claim that Nigerian shipments responded quickly.