As US-China trade relations continue to face significant challenges in early 2025, China has intensified its economic engagement with Nigeria and other emerging economies. This strategic pivot comes as Chinese companies encounter increasing barriers in American markets, prompting Beijing to diversify its international trade partnerships.
Recent data reveals that trade volume between Nigeria and China exceeded $20 billion in 2024, establishing Nigeria as China’s largest engineering contract partner, second-largest export market, and third-largest trade partner in Africa. This robust economic relationship was highlighted by Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, during the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Abuja, where he expressed optimism about further expanding this partnership.
The relationship between the two nations was recently elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership following President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nigeria, underscoring China’s commitment to deepening ties with Africa’s largest economy. Ambassador Yu emphasized the immense potential China sees in Nigeria, stating, “We aim to increase our trade volume even higher because of the immense potential we see in Nigeria”.
In March 2025, Nigeria and China took concrete steps to strengthen their economic relationship by unveiling the Nigeria-China Bilateral Business, Trade, and Investment Summit 2025 in Abuja. During this event, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, called for the removal of obstacles hindering investment and economic growth while emphasizing the need for Nigeria to modernize its business environment.
China’s Economic and Trade Commercial Counsellor, Wang Ying-Ki, reaffirmed Nigeria’s importance as China’s largest trade and investment partner in Africa during the summit announcement. He also noted the significant impact of President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to China, which laid the groundwork for further economic cooperation.
The 10th National Assembly’s House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Parliamentary Relations has taken proactive steps by inaugurating a technical planning committee to organize the Nigeria-China Sustainable Trade, Investment and Bilateral Relations Summit, 2025. This summit will be held in two phases: the Nigeria Summit in the second quarter of 2025 and the China Summit in the third quarter.
The summit aims to present credible investment opportunities and foster collaboration in key sectors including agriculture, mining and solid minerals, power and renewable energy, oil and gas, and construction. Technical committees comprising representatives from the China Embassy, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working together to ensure the summit’s success.
Kunle Yusuff, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of Merited Negotiation Consulting, revealed that 217 Chinese companies have expressed interest in investing in Nigeria, highlighting China’s growing focus on the Nigerian market. The summit is expected to transition the Nigeria-China business relationship from a trade-focused partnership to a development-driven one.
As China continues to navigate complex global trade dynamics, its deepening engagement with Nigeria and other emerging economies represents a strategic recalibration of its international economic relationships, potentially opening new avenues for mutual growth and development in the face of US market restrictions.
