China’s imports from Nigeria increased by 81 per cent year-on-year to $2.25 billion in the first half of 2026, following the introduction of Beijing’s zero-tariff policy for products from 53 African countries, including Nigeria.
The Consul General of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, disclosed the figures at the 2026 Nigeria International New Energy and Power Industry Expo and Nigeria International Lighting Expo Lunch Conference.
Yan said the policy was already generating significant results about three and a half months after it took effect.
According to her, total trade between China and Nigeria reached $17.4 billion between January and June 2026, representing a 35 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025.
She said Nigerian exports to China accounted for $2.25 billion, with monthly growth exceeding 40 per cent in both May and June.
The Chinese diplomat said the figures showed the potential of the zero-tariff arrangement to improve access for Nigerian products in the Chinese market and strengthen economic cooperation between both countries.
China fully implemented the policy on May 1, removing tariffs across all product lines from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.
Yan said the initiative forms part of China’s broader efforts to deepen economic ties with Africa and implement the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan for 2025–2027.
She noted that the policy was introduced at the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and is expected to provide additional momentum for economic development and modernisation across China and Africa.
Yan also highlighted the wider growth in China-Nigeria economic relations. She said bilateral trade surpassed $28 billion in 2025, representing more than 28 per cent year-on-year growth.
China’s direct investment in Nigeria also reached $690 million, an increase of 103 per cent from the previous year.
The Consul General described Nigeria as China’s largest engineering contracting market in Africa, second-largest export market on the continent and a major investment destination.
She added that Nigeria is also China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa.
