Nigeria and China are set to consolidate their fast-rising bilateral trade relations, which have already crossed $20 billion annually in the last years, through the 2025 edition of the China Commodities Expo-Nigeria (CCE).
The annual Expo, scheduled to be held from November 5 to 7 in Lagos, is expected to host over 250 Chinese manufacturers and more than 5,000 Nigerian and international business representatives.
CCE is organised by the Trade Development Bureau of China’s Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with Brightway International Exhibition.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Muheez Ojulari, Chief Representative Officer of Brightway International Exhibition, said the Expo was designed to consolidate the upward trend in bilateral trade.
“This Expo is not just about trade, it is about building bridges of opportunity that connect Nigerian entrepreneurs with global supply chains. We want Nigerian firms to walk away not only with contracts, but with long-term partnerships that can strengthen their competitiveness at home and abroad,” he said.
The Expo comes at a time when bilateral trade between the nations is witnessing robust growth. According to Chinese customs data, trade volumes between Nigeria and China reached $23.9 billion in 2022, with China exporting $22.3 billion worth of goods to Nigeria while importing $1.6 billion. In the first three quarters of 2023, trade hit $17.25 billion, boosted by a 22.5 percent rise in Chinese imports from Nigeria.
Read also: Nigeria-China trade hits $15.48bn, up 34.7% in seven months, says Consul-General
By 2024, volumes again surpassed $20 billion, while in the first seven months of 2025 alone, bilateral trade climbed to $15.48 billion, a 34.7 percent year-on-year increase, positioning Nigeria as China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa.
Since its inception in 2007, the annual CCE has grown into one of Nigeria’s largest trade events, supported by key Nigerian chambers of commerce, trade associations, and ministries at both state and federal levels. It is expected to draw importers, exporters, industry captains, government officials, and entrepreneurs from across Africa.
China’s investment footprint in Nigeria continues to deepen, with more than $1.5 billion committed to zones such as the Lekki Free Trade Zone and Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, generating over 7,000 jobs. Beyond trade, the Expo is also targeting youth-focused entrepreneurship by linking Nigerian startups and SMEs with Chinese venture capital and technology partners.
Ojulari said, “This Expo matters because it gives Nigerian firms direct visibility before Chinese manufacturers who control global supply chains. It’s a chance to negotiate better terms, secure financing, and diversify our exports.”
With Nigeria–China trade already on a strong growth trajectory, the 2025 Expo is poised to serve as a critical platform to sustain momentum, unlock investment opportunities, and deepen bilateral economic relations.