Nigeria-China trade rises 35% to $17.4bn in six months

Nigeria's trade with China surged by 35% in the first half of 2026, reaching $17.4 billion, according to Yang Jianxing, Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria. This growth was driven by an 81% increase in Nigeria's exports to China, totaling $2.25 billion. Yang credited China's zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Nigeria, for creating new opportunities for increased exports to the Chinese market.

The trade between China and Africa surpassed $207.4 billion in the first half of 2026, with China's imports from Africa reaching $28.5 billion, marking a 23.5% increase year-on-year. Yang highlighted that imports of African aquatic products, textile raw materials, and specialty fruits experienced double-digit growth. The zero-tariff policy contributed to a 6% increase in overall African exports to China, with Nigeria's performance particularly impressive, with bilateral trade reaching $17.4 billion, an 81% increase from the previous year.