ABUJA – The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) welcomed China’s decision to waive tariffs on goods from 53 African nations, calling it a “strategic opening” for Nigerian exporters. The policy, which took effect on 1 May, removes import duties on a wide range of African products entering the Chinese market.
ACCI Director‑General Agabaidu Jideani told reporters on Sunday that the zero‑tariff framework could enhance Africa‑China trade relations and provide Nigerian producers with expanded access to one of the world’s largest consumer bases. He highlighted the sectors most likely to benefit – agriculture, agro‑processing, solid minerals and light manufacturing – and said improved market access could boost the competitiveness of Nigerian goods in China.
While welcoming the development, Jideani cautioned that tariff elimination alone will not guarantee market penetration. Exporters must meet China’s stringent quality, packaging and supply‑consistency standards. He called for stronger government support to help Nigerian firms raise production quality, reduce costs and secure reliable financing.
“The initiative offers an opportunity to diversify exports and increase foreign‑exchange earnings, but it also exposes the risk of a widening trade imbalance,” Jideani said. He warned that without deliberate measures to strengthen local production, encourage value addition and curb excessive import dependence, Nigeria could struggle to capitalise on the new market access.
Key challenges identified include high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, logistics bottlenecks and limited access to affordable credit. Jideani urged both the public and private sectors to coordinate efforts that improve industrial capacity, streamline trade facilitation and assist businesses with standards certification and customs procedures.
In his remarks, the ACCI chief stressed that boosting domestic industries and enhancing export readiness are essential for maximising the benefits of China’s zero‑tariff policy while protecting local jobs and enterprises. He appealed to the Nigerian government to adopt targeted export‑promotion policies and to provide the necessary support mechanisms for firms seeking to enter the Chinese market.
If effectively leveraged, the policy could open a substantial new avenue for Nigerian products, reinforcing the country’s export portfolio and deepening economic ties with China.
