China-Nigeria bilateral trade reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 35 per cent increase compared with the same period last year, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has said.
Yu disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a reception organized by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The event attracted officials of the Chinese Embassy, Nigerian government officials, members of the diplomatic community, business leaders and journalists.
The ambassador said the growth in bilateral trade was accompanied by a significant increase in Chinese imports from Nigeria, which surged by 81 per cent during the period.
According to him, the development reflects the growing momentum in economic cooperation between the two countries, which celebrated 55 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
“Our relationship has entered the fast lane,” Yu said, adding that China commended the economic reforms and measures being undertaken by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said recent agreements on economic partnership and aquatic exports had provided stronger institutional support for expanding bilateral trade.
Yu also highlighted China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries, saying the measure had created new opportunities for African exporters.
He noted that China had implemented zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries from May 1, 2026, with China’s imports from Africa increasing by 24 per cent in May and June alone.
The envoy said the policy could help African countries convert their resource advantages into greater industrial strength and contribute to the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
On China-Nigeria cooperation, Yu said China was ready to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda in areas including industrialisation, digital development, green and blue economies.
He also invited Nigeria to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, saying this would provide an avenue for the country to participate in global technological development.
The ambassador further said China and Nigeria had expanded cooperation beyond trade and investment to include cultural and media exchanges, noting the launch of Chinese-language broadcasts on Federal Radio Nigeria and Voice of Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Minister of Power and Director-General of the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Joseph Tegbe, commended China’s contributions to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, citing projects including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, railway modernization and Zungeru Hydropower Station.
He said Nigeria must translate increased access to the Chinese market into stronger domestic production and higher exports.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China principle, stating that the Nigerian government recognizes the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
Nigeria and China established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971. In September 2024, President Tinubu and President Xi elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
