China–Nigeria Trade Surges to $15.48 Billion in Seven Months, Strengthening Economic Ties
Bilateral trade between Nigeria and China has soared to $15.48 billion in the first seven months of 2025, marking a 34.7% jump compared to the same period last year. The figure, released by Ms. Yan Yuqing, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, underscores the deepening economic relationship between Africa’s largest economy and the world’s second-largest.
Speaking at a reception in Lagos on Sunday, Yan described Nigeria as China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, highlighting that this milestone reflects growing trust and cooperation between both nations. She credited the surge to the upgrade of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which has unlocked wider opportunities for collaboration across sectors.
The Consul-General outlined how cooperation is expanding beyond trade into infrastructure, energy, culture, and education, stressing that these initiatives are delivering “tangible benefits” to ordinary citizens in both countries. She praised the Chinese community in Nigeria for their contributions to local development, charitable causes, and cultural exchanges, urging them to continue acting as “bridge-builders” for stronger ties.
Yan also drew attention to China’s broader economic resilience, noting that the country’s GDP grew by 5.3% in the first half of 2025 despite global headwinds. This growth, she said, positions China to remain a reliable partner for Nigeria as it diversifies its economy and seeks more investment in key industries.
Nigeria, for its part, remains heavily reliant on imports from China. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, Nigeria imported goods worth ₦4.96 trillion from China, more than double its imports from the United States. These imports include machinery, refined petroleum products, telecommunications equipment, and manufactured goods, underscoring China’s role in supplying essential inputs for Nigeria’s industrial and consumer needs.
source: nairametrics