China has reinforced its growing economic partnership with Nigeria, extending a prestigious invitation for the West African nation to participate as Guest of Honour at the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. The invitation was personally conveyed by China’s ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, who described the annual event as one of the world’s foremost platforms for global trade, innovation, and industrial cooperation.
The 2025 edition of the CIIE, which commenced on November 5 and runs through November 10, has attracted an impressive 3,400 exhibitors from 129 countries, covering 420,000 square metres at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai. Within the first 24 hours, trade deals worth $12.3 billion were reportedly signed, signalling the event’s importance as a hub for international commerce and investment.
Nigeria’s national pavilion, spanning 500 square metres and adorned in the country’s signature green and white, stands out as one of the most prominent displays at the expo. The pavilion features a vibrant showcase of Nigeria’s agricultural and manufacturing potential, with particular emphasis on innovative products such as bio-fortified cassava, blockchain-tracked shea butter, and affordable solar-powered irrigation pumps.
Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni, highlighted the vast potential of China’s consumer market for authentic African products. “China’s vast consumer market offers an enormous opportunity for authentic African products. We are here to connect those consumers with Nigeria’s creativity and enterprise,” she remarked, emphasizing Nigeria’s determination to expand its non-oil exports and enhance its trade footprint in Asia.
The invitation comes on the heels of deepening bilateral relations between both nations. Barely two months ago, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Abuja and pledged $2 billion in concessional loans to bolster Nigeria’s infrastructure and energy sectors. During that visit, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to long-term cooperation in trade, security, and development.
Further strengthening this partnership, Ambassador Yu Dunhai recently hosted Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Shanghai, where both officials signed a protocol agreement on maritime cooperation. The agreement covers joint patrols in the Gulf of Guinea and collaborative intelligence-sharing mechanisms to combat piracy, a move the Chinese embassy described as another significant step toward enhancing mutual trust and regional security.
Bilateral trade between Nigeria and China continues to grow at a steady pace. In 2024, total trade volume reached $22.6 billion, although Nigeria’s non-oil exports to China accounted for less than $700 million. In a bid to address this imbalance and stimulate export growth, China has granted zero-tariff treatment to 98 per cent of Nigerian tariff lines under the CIIE framework. This initiative is expected to significantly boost agricultural exports such as sesame, ginger, and hibiscus tea.
Adding further momentum to this economic partnership, Chinese e-commerce giant Tmall Global has allocated online shelf space specifically for Nigerian products, a move that will increase their accessibility to millions of Chinese consumers. Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who is leading a 150-member delegation to Shanghai, confirmed that contracts worth $180 million have already been signed for cashew and sesame exports.
“Every shipment leaving Lagos for Shanghai represents new jobs and new opportunities for Nigerians,” Dr. Oduwole said, noting that the partnership underscores the government’s commitment to industrialisation, innovation, and sustainable trade expansion.
While Nigeria currently owes more than $4 billion to Chinese policy banks, officials have maintained that the relationship between both nations remains mutually beneficial. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu considers China a key strategic partner in its drive for economic diversification, export expansion, and the advancement of critical infrastructure projects.
As China and Nigeria continue to strengthen their collaboration across trade, technology, and security, the latest developments at the CIIE reaffirm Beijing’s recognition of Nigeria as a central player in Africa’s economic future. For Nigeria, the opportunity to serve as guest of honour at one of the world’s largest trade fairs not only highlights its growing global relevance but also marks a significant milestone in its quest to position itself as a leading hub for innovation and enterprise on the African continent.
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