Nigeria’s Trade with China Grows by 35% to $17.4 Billion in First Half of 2026

Trade between Nigeria and China has increased significantly, rising by 35% to $17.4 billion in the first half of 2026. This information was shared by Yang Jianxing, the Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, during an event in Abuja.

Nigeria’s exports to China saw a remarkable jump of 81%, reaching $2.25 billion. Yang noted that these figures highlight the growing economic cooperation between the two countries. He attributed part of this growth to China’s zero-tariff policy for 53 African nations, including Nigeria, which has opened new opportunities for exports.

Overall, trade between China and Africa exceeded $207 billion during the same period, marking a record high. China’s imports from Africa also rose to $28.5 billion between May and June, which is a 23.5% increase compared to the previous year. Yang mentioned that imports of various African products, including seafood and textiles, have shown strong growth.

Yang emphasized that Nigeria’s trade performance has been particularly impressive, with imports from Nigeria growing by over 40% in May and June. This trend presents opportunities for Nigeria and other African countries to boost their exports, especially in agriculture and raw materials.

During the event, Yang also discussed China’s principles for cooperation with Africa in mining, which include respecting African sovereignty and promoting mutual benefits. He highlighted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s four principles for addressing conflicts in Africa, focusing on an African-led approach and fairness.

The event also marked the launch of the China-Nigeria Bridge radio program, which aims to enhance cultural understanding and strengthen relationships between China and African nations. The program combines Chinese language lessons with news on China-Africa cooperation.

Yang concluded by stating that the new Mandarin Service at the Voice of Nigeria will help promote Nigeria’s culture and economic opportunities to Mandarin-speaking audiences, further enhancing international communication.