By Ameh Gabriel
Abuja, August 2025 — Nigeria has officially joined 52 other African nations in securing full zero-tariff access to the Chinese market, a move hailed by Beijing as a milestone in advancing trade, cultural, and economic cooperation across the continent.
The announcement was made at the 2025 China–Nigeria Culture and Tourism Festival in Abuja, where China’s Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, reaffirmed President Xi Jinping’s commitment to expanding Africa–China relations under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.
“President Xi has pledged zero-tariff treatment across 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries, including Nigeria,” Zhou said. “This development will create wider opportunities for Nigerian goods in the Chinese market and signals a new chapter in our bilateral cooperation.”
Marking his first visit to Nigeria, Zhou described the festival as a “vibrant symbol of cultural diplomacy,” stressing the role of culture and tourism in bridging distances and fostering mutual understanding. “China and Nigeria are ancient civilizations with rich traditions. Together, we can build a high-quality community with a shared future,” he added.
Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, welcomed the tariff concession, linking cultural exchange to economic growth.
“Culture and tourism go beyond heritage; they are powerful drivers of prosperity,” Muhammad noted. “With this zero-tariff access, Nigeria’s creative industries, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors stand to benefit immensely from the Chinese market.”
Also speaking at the event, Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi, who represented Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, described the festival as “a bridge of friendship” and an example of how cultural cooperation continues to strengthen bilateral ties.
“This gathering is a testament to the enduring and friendly relations between Nigeria and China—two influential nations shaping global development,” Akinremi said.
The festival, jointly organized by the Chinese Cultural Center in Abuja and Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, featured traditional performances, art exhibitions, cuisine, and fashion displays from both nations. The event not only celebrated shared heritage but also underscored the growing strategic partnership between Africa’s largest economy and Asia’s second-largest.
