China imports $2.3bn of Nigerian goods in six months
China imported goods worth approximately $2.3 billion from Nigeria between January and June 2026, representing an 80 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, disclosed this on Thursday at the Nigeria-China Food Festival held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja.
Zhou also revealed that total bilateral trade between Nigeria and China rose to $18 billion during the first half of the year, marking a 75 percent increase year-on-year.
According to him, the figures reflect the expanding economic relationship between both nations and highlight the opportunities available for Nigeria to further broaden its presence in the Chinese market.
He noted that China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Beijing could offer an additional advantage for Nigerian businesses seeking market access.
“This is a great chance for Nigeria to expand exports to China,” Zhou stated.
He encouraged Nigeria to leverage the policy by increasing both the volume and variety of goods exported to China, particularly products capable of competing effectively in the global market.
The envoy spoke at the food festival, which brought together Nigerian and Chinese cuisine, music, arts, and cultural performances as part of activities commemorating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Zhou emphasized that the event went beyond food, serving to deepen mutual cultural understanding.
He called for expanded cooperation in education, culture, technology, the arts, and youth exchanges, noting that such engagements would help sustain ties between Nigeria and China across future generations.
“This festival is an opportunity for our two peoples to understand each other better and strengthen our friendship,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ibrahim, remarked that Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage could become a major driver of tourism, investment, and employment.
Ibrahim noted that food and beverages remain the largest subsector of Nigeria’s tourism economy, stressing that greater focus should be directed toward the industry.
He called for closer cooperation between Nigeria and China in gastronomy, hospitality, culinary education, and creative entrepreneurship.
According to him, developing Nigeria’s food industry could generate opportunities for young people while promoting the nation’s cultural identity globally.
The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Abisoye Fagade, also stressed the importance of properly packaging Nigeria’s diverse food culture for the international market.
Fagade stated that while Nigeria possesses the culinary resources needed to build a competitive food tourism industry, it must prioritize standardization and commercialization.
He cautioned, however, against diluting the authenticity of Nigerian cuisine in the effort to appeal to global tourists.
The festival, themed “From Farm to Feast,” featured 14 Chinese dishes from seven regions of China alongside traditional Nigerian dishes representing the country’s six geopolitical zones.
A joint performance by Nigerian and Chinese artistes was staged during the event, underscoring the role of cultural exchange in reinforcing diplomatic ties.
Organizers stated that the combination of food, music, and cultural displays illustrated how cultural diplomacy can effectively complement economic and formal bilateral cooperation.
With trade between both nations expanding significantly in the first half of 2026, stakeholders at the event emphasized the need for Nigeria to translate its cultural and agricultural assets into robust export opportunities, urging deeper collaboration across tourism, hospitality, and the creative industries.