China-Nigeria Trade Tops $22 Billion as Partnership Deepens

Trade between China and Nigeria surged past $22.3 billion between January and October 2025, marking a 30 per cent increase compared to the previous year, the Chinese Consul-General in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, has stated.

Speaking at the Lagos Forum New Year Media Symposium, Yuqing described the growth as a reflection of “strong momentum and expanding cooperation” between the two nations. She emphasized that Nigeria remains a key destination for Chinese investment across Africa.

Yuqing highlighted major infrastructure projects that have underpinned the partnership. The Lekki Deep Sea Port, for instance, is projected to handle 520,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, showing an 82 per cent year-on-year growth. Meanwhile, passenger volumes on the Lagos-Ibadan Railway and Lagos Light Rail reached record highs, easing traffic congestion and improving daily mobility for residents.

In addition to infrastructure, Nigerian agricultural products, including cashew nuts, sesame seeds, sorghum, and dried ginger, are increasingly finding access to Chinese markets. Free Trade Zones in Lekki and Ogun–Guangdong continue to serve as important platforms for industrial and manufacturing collaboration.

Yuqing also stressed the growing importance of people-to-people and cultural exchanges in strengthening bilateral ties. She noted that initiatives promoting mutual understanding have expanded, benefiting both Chinese and Nigerian communities across the country.

At the event, business and cultural leaders from both nations encouraged deeper engagement. They called for stronger partnerships between Chinese and Nigerian companies and institutions to foster trade, investment, and cultural collaboration, while promoting opportunities for youth participation.

Officials praised Nigeria as an attractive hub for investment and development, highlighting the tangible benefits of joint projects in infrastructure, agriculture, and the digital economy. These initiatives have supported job creation and enhanced local industrial capacity.

Looking ahead, Yuqing projected that 2026 would bring even closer collaboration between the two countries. She urged continued focus on shared economic growth, cultural exchange, and strategic investment to ensure lasting benefits for both Nigeria and China.