Trade experts and government officials have warned that Nigeria could fail to take full advantage of China’s expanded zero tariff access for African exports unless it improves production, processing, quality control and logistics.
The warning followed China’s decision to remove tariffs on qualifying imports from African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing.
Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai said Nigeria China trade reached about $18 billion in the first half of 2026.
He also said Chinese imports from Nigeria rose sharply after the new policy came into effect.
The ambassador cited savings on products including sesame, cattle bone granules and liquefied propane as examples of the immediate benefit of tariff removal.
He warned, however, that Nigerian exporters would still have to meet Chinese product standards and provide reliable volumes.
At an international seminar in Abuja, participants said tariff free access would be of limited value unless Nigeria could produce goods that Chinese buyers wanted in sufficient quantity and quality.
Centre for China Studies Director Charles Onunaiju said the new policy should be viewed as a starting point rather than a guarantee of export success.
He urged Nigeria and other African countries to strengthen productive capacity, customs systems, standards and regional trade integration.
Foreign Affairs Ministry officials said natural resources should increasingly be processed locally instead of exported in raw form.
They argued that oil, agricultural commodities and solid minerals should support petrochemicals, food processing, manufacturing and mineral beneficiation.
Agriculture officials identified processed cassava, rice, spices, shea products, hibiscus, cashew, soybean products, fruits and vegetables as areas of potential growth.
They also highlighted the need for stronger storage, financing, traceability, logistics and quality assurance.
Government programmes in agro processing and mechanisation were presented as part of the response.
Other participants called for easier visa access for Nigerian businesspeople travelling to China.
The central message from the seminar was that market access had improved, but Nigeria would only benefit fully if it built the factories, farms, processing facilities and export systems needed to compete.
