Nigeria risks missing China’s zero-tariff opportunity without boosting production and standards

China has opened its market to products from 53 African countries by removing tariffs on all tariff lines, a policy that took effect on May 1. Eswatini is the only African country excluded due to its diplomatic relations with Taiwan. For Nigeria to fully benefit, participants at an international seminar convened by the Centre for China Studies, in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, emphasized the need to improve production capacity, industrial base, standards compliance, and trade facilitation systems.

Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs, represented by Gambo Aliyu, Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, stated that market access is an opportunity, not automatic economic transformation, and stressed the importance of connecting China’s market access with domestic productive capacity. He identified agriculture, agro-processing, solid minerals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, leather, textiles, and light manufacturing as potential export sectors but highlighted the need for reliable production, quality, competitive pricing, proper packaging, traceability, and dependable delivery. Aliyu also pointed out the importance of understanding rules of origin and called for stronger coordination amo