China has invited Nigeria to participate as a guest of honour at the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), underscoring deepening economic and diplomatic ties between both countries.
The Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, personally extended the invitation, describing the Shanghai-based annual fair as a premier global platform for trade, technology, and industrial collaboration. The announcement was made via the Chinese Embassy’s verified X handle on Wednesday.
“The invitation of Nigeria as guest of honour reflects its expanding role in global trade and its importance in China’s African policy,” Yu stated.
The 2025 CIIE, which runs from November 5 to 10, features over 3,400 exhibitors from 129 countries across 420,000 square metres of exhibition space at Shanghai’s National Exhibition and Convention Centre. According to Chinese customs data, trade deals worth $12.3 billion were recorded within the first 24 hours.
Nigeria’s 500-square-metre national pavilion, decorated in green and white, is among the most prominent at the expo, showcasing innovative products from the nation’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni, unveiled bio-fortified cassava, affordable solar-powered irrigation pumps, and blockchain-tracked shea butter as part of Nigeria’s showcase.
“China’s vast consumer market offers enormous potential for authentic African products.
“We are here to connect those consumers with Nigeria’s creativity and enterprise,” Ayeni said.
The invitation follows Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Abuja less than two months ago, during which he announced $2 billion in concessional loans to support Nigeria’s infrastructure and energy projects.
During the expo, Ambassador Yu also hosted Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Shanghai for a working dinner, where both sides signed a maritime cooperation protocol covering joint patrols in the Gulf of Guinea and intelligence sharing on piracy.
A Chinese embassy spokesman described the accord as “a new step toward strengthening mutual trust.”
Bilateral trade between China and Nigeria reached $22.6 billion in 2024, though Nigeria’s non-oil exports to China remain under $700 million.
As part of the CIIE framework, China has granted zero-tariff access to 98 per cent of Nigerian tariff lines, a move expected to boost exports of sesame, ginger, and hibiscus tea.
Chinese e-commerce giant Tmall Global has also earmarked online shelf space for Nigerian products.
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,” Oduwole said.
Despite owing over $4 billion to Chinese lenders, the Nigerian government insists the partnership remains mutually beneficial.
The Tinubu administration continues to see China as a vital partner in its push for industrialisation, export diversification, and infrastructure growth.
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