Nigeria-China Trade Soars to $15.48 Billion in Seven Months
Trade between Nigeria and China has reached unprecedented levels, hitting a remarkable $15.48 billion between January and July 2025. This figure represents a robust 34.7% year-over-year increase, solidifying Nigeria’s position as China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa.
The data was recently disclosed by Ms. Yan Yuqing, the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, who hailed the growing ties as being at their “best in history.”
The Driving Forces Behind the Growth
The significant increase in bilateral trade is a direct result of the strategic partnership elevated at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit. This high-level collaboration has paved the way for broader cooperation across various sectors, including infrastructure, energy, trade, and education.
According to Consul-General Yuqing, these joint efforts are yielding “tangible benefits to both peoples,” showcasing a relationship guided by mutual respect and benefit.
Beyond trade, China’s economy continues to show resilience despite global challenges, with a 5.3% growth in the first half of 2025. This economic strength allows China to maintain its role as a key global supplier, a dynamic that is clearly reflected in its relationship with Nigeria.
China’s Dominance in Nigeria’s Import Market
The trade figures underscore Nigeria’s significant reliance on imports from China. In the second quarter of 2025, China was Nigeria’s largest import partner, supplying goods worth N4.96 trillion.
This amount is more than double the value of imports from the United States, which followed in second place with N2.16 trillion. Asia as a continent accounted for 50% of Nigeria’s total imports during this period, with China at the forefront.
The bulk of Chinese exports to Nigeria includes essential industrial and consumer goods such as machinery, refined petroleum products, and telecommunication equipment. This highlights China’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s economy, as the country continues to depend on foreign industrial inputs to meet its domestic demand.
While Nigeria imports a wide range of products, the concentration of trade with China signals a growing economic alignment between the two nations.
As the Consul-General noted, the relationship is poised for further growth, with significant prospects for future collaboration. The Chinese community in Nigeria has been encouraged to act as “bridge-builders” to further strengthen the bilateral friendship. This latest trade data reinforces China’s growing influence on the African continent and its deepening economic ties with Nigeria.
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