Vice President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that trade between Nigeria and China reached $22.6 billion in 2023, marking one of the highest trade volumes between China and any African country.
Vice President Shettima’s spokesperson, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, shared the announcement on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, following a recent meeting between Vice President Shettima and a Chinese delegation led by Mr. Zhang Qingwei, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Vice President Shettima highlighted the annual growth of 33 percent in bilateral trade, expressing optimism about the relationship’s trajectory. He also highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with China, drawing attention to the nations’ 53-year-long diplomatic relationship since 1971.
“Our trade relationship with China reached $22.6 billion in 2023, one of the highest in Africa, and it continues to grow. Nigeria remains committed to enhancing this partnership,” Vice President Shettima remarked.
He commended the longstanding collaboration between the two nations, citing recent high-level visits, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s September 2024 trip to China, as crucial to advancing cooperation. He lauded China’s cultural and economic achievements, advocating for increased South-South collaboration to bolster mutual growth.
The Vice President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the One China policy and sought China’s assistance in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges. “Development and peace go hand in hand. We are investing in technology to ensure both, and we look forward to your support,” he stated.
In response, Mr. Zhang Qingwei reiterated China’s dedication to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria. Referring to the outcome of President Tinubu’s visit, he said, “President Tinubu and Xi Jinping jointly announced the elevation of Nigeria-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. China is prepared to implement the consensus reached by our leaders and support Nigeria’s development goals.”
The meeting follows calls from Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen. Tajudeen Abbas, for an improved trade volume. He had recently highlighted the existing $13 billion trade volume between Nigeria and China as an area ripe for expansion, reinforcing the importance of economic collaboration between the two nations.