Nigeria’s exports to China increased by 81 per cent to $2.25 billion in the first half of 2026, while total bilateral trade between both countries rose by 35 per cent to $17.4 billion, reflecting growing economic relations.
The figures were disclosed by the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of the China Cultural Centre, Mr Yang Jiaxing, at the 2026 launch ceremony of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) China-Nigeria Bridge Programme.
Yang attributed the growth to expanding economic engagement between both countries, noting that China’s zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, including Nigeria, would create additional opportunities for African exporters.
He said the policy, which took effect in May 2026, was expected to improve access for African products to the Chinese market and strengthen trade relations.
According to him, China’s trade with African countries exceeded $207.4 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a record performance for the corresponding period. He added that Chinese imports from Africa reached $28.5 billion between May and June, representing a 23.5 per cent year-on-year increase.
Yang noted that aquatic products, textile raw materials, specialty fruits and other African commodities had recorded double-digit growth in the Chinese market.
He said Nigeria’s export performance was particularly encouraging, with Chinese imports from the country increasing by 81 per cent during the first half of the year.
“In the first half of this year, bilateral trade between China and Nigeria reached $17.4 billion, up 35 per cent year-on-year. China’s imports from Nigeria amounted to $2.25 billion, representing a remarkable increase of 81 per cent,” he said.
He added that Chinese imports from Nigeria recorded year-on-year growth of more than 40 per cent in both May and June.
Yang said the zero-tariff arrangement presented Nigeria with an opportunity to expand non-oil exports, improve market access for locally manufactured goods and strengthen its position in the Chinese consumer market.
However, he stressed the need for improved production capacity, product standards and logistics to enable Nigerian businesses to maximise the benefits of the policy and compete effectively in international markets.
Beyond trade, Yang highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy and people-to-people engagement in strengthening relations between Nigeria and China.
He described the VON China-Nigeria Bridge Programme as an important platform for promoting mutual understanding, cultural exchange and closer relations between the people of both countries.
The programme, jointly initiated by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Xinhua News Agency’s Africa Regional Bureau and VON, with the China Cultural Centre as a supporting partner, combines Chinese language lessons with news and information on China-Africa cooperation.
Yang disclosed that the initiative was launched on September 2, 2026, against the backdrop of the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations, the 55th anniversary of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations and the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
He said 10 episodes of the programme had already been broadcast, attracting attention and appreciation from listeners across Africa.
Describing the initiative as more than a radio programme, Yang said it represented a bridge of friendship connecting Chinese and African people and promoting mutual learning between their cultures.
He commended VON Director-General, Jibrin Baba Ndace, and the organisation’s management for their commitment to the partnership, noting that media cooperation remained an important instrument for strengthening Nigeria-China relations.
Speaking through the Director of General Services, Alhaji Danladi Abubakar, Ndace said the introduction of Mandarin as VON’s ninth broadcast language marked a significant milestone in the organisation’s efforts to expand Nigeria’s international reach.
He said the initiative was designed to ensure that Nigeria communicated its stories, achievements, opportunities, culture and values to international audiences in languages they understood.
According to him, VON would now broadcast in English, French, Arabic, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulfulde, Swahili and Mandarin.
Ndace described the Mandarin service as a communication bridge between Nigeria and China, as well as the wider Chinese-speaking world, with the potential to promote friendship, cultural understanding and shared prosperity.
He traced the initiative to the September 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing, where Nigeria and China agreed on a framework for media exchange between Nigeria’s Ministry of Information and National Orientation and China Media Group.
He recalled that Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, endorsed the initiative during a meeting with the VON delegation on July 20, 2025.
The partnership recorded further progress in April 2026 when 26 Nigerian journalists, including five from VON, participated in training in Beijing at the National Radio and Television Administration Research Institute.
VON also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Xinhua News Agency on April 24, 2026, to promote content sharing and news exchange.
Another agreement was signed with the Chinese Embassy on May 18, covering Chinese language training for VON personnel, broadcasting capacity development, content production and exchange, as well as collaboration against fake news and misinformation.
Ndace said the Mandarin service would promote Nigeria’s image internationally, showcase its entrepreneurial and creative potential, encourage mutual understanding and support the comprehensive strategic partnership between President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He added that the service would provide Chinese audiences with information about Nigeria’s culture, music, food, tourism, business opportunities and values in their language.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Press Council, Dili Ezughah, described the China-Nigeria Bridge Programme as a commendable initiative reflecting the growing importance of cultural diplomacy, media collaboration and people-to-people engagement.
Ezughah said relations between Nigeria and China had expanded beyond conventional economic and diplomatic engagements to include cultural understanding, knowledge sharing and mutual respect.
He noted that sustainable international relationships required meaningful interactions among citizens, rather than government-to-government agreements alone.
He particularly commended the introduction of Mandarin as VON’s ninth broadcast language, describing it as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to linguistic diversity and broader international communication.
Ezughah also praised the programme’s ambition to reach audiences across all 54 African countries, saying its continental outlook had extended its significance beyond the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China.
He recalled that the Nigeria Press Council’s relationship with Xinhua News Agency dated back about 15 years, describing the longstanding partnership as a foundation for stronger cooperation between media institutions in both countries.
He, however, stressed that the programme’s success should be measured by its ability to promote genuine cultural understanding and lasting relationships among ordinary citizens.
The development highlights the growing strategic importance of Nigeria-China relations, with expanding trade opportunities increasingly complemented by media cooperation, cultural exchange and institutional partnerships.
