Nigeria has recorded a landmark 200% growth in exports to China, pushing the bilateral trade volume between the two countries to an impressive $22.3 billion over a ten-month window.
Chinese Consul-General in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing, had said China-Nigeria bilateral trade exceeded $22.3 billion between January and October 2025. Yuqing disclosed this at the Lagos Forum New Year Media Symposium, where she reviewed bilateral relations and outlined prospects for deeper cooperation in 2026.
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“Over the past year, China-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation has shown great vitality and strong momentum. From January to October 2025, bilateral trade exceeded $22.3 billion, representing a 30.2 per cent year-on-year increase,” Yuqing said. She said Nigeria had remained one of China’s major investment destinations in Africa for many consecutive years.
She said Nigerian products, including cashews, sesame seeds, sorghum and dried ginger, gained increased access to the Chinese market. Yuqing noted that the Lekki and Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zones remained key platforms for industrial and manufacturing cooperation while development-focused collaboration delivered tangible benefits, especially in infrastructure, agriculture and the digital economy.
According to her, the projects supported job creation and strengthened local industrial capacity across Nigeria. Yuqing cited the Lekki Deep Sea Port, projecting yearly throughput of 520,000 TEUs, representing over 82 per cent year-on-year growth. She added that Lagos-Ibadan Railway and Lagos Light Rail passenger volumes hit record highs, easing congestion and improving mobility.
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Speaking earlier at the 1st Annual China-Nigeria Government Exchange Programme Alumni Reunion Gala, in Abuja, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai noted while that 2025 trade volume has surpassed that of the previous year, China’s direct investment to Nigeria increased by 130 per cent, while Nigeria’s export increased by over 200 per cent.
Yu also added that, over the years, China has provided over 10,000 opportunities for the training programme for Nigerians. He stressed the training opportunities aimed at building the capacities and sharing experience of governance, to poverty reduction, to manufacturing, agriculture, public health, trade, investment, science, technology, innovation, food economy, and digital economy.
He said, “I think this bilateral relations not only has a political meaning, but it’s actually more about people-to-people relations. And I’m very happy to let all of you know that our trade volumes, this year, already surpassed 22 billion U.S. dollars.
“That’s already surpassed the total amount of last year. And China’s direct investment to Nigeria increased by 130 per cent. And another good news is Nigeria’s export increased by over 200 per cent.”
The envoy also said his country is working closely with Nigerian authorities to implement the zero tariff policy announced in June 2025, which is meant to expand Nigeria’s export to China while also enhancing Nigeria’s position on the international global trading system.
He said, “We are working very closely with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to implement the zero tariff policy, which the Chinese government announced last June. That is, China is going to provide zero tariff for 100 per cent of products from all 53 African countries, including Nigeria, to China.
“And I believe that this is going to expand Nigeria’s export to China and contribute also to the enhancing of Nigeria’s position on the international global system, the trading system.”
