The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has described China’s zero-tariff policy for African goods as a major opportunity for Nigerian exporters.
Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, Director-General of the chamber, made the remark on Sunday in Abuja while reacting to China’s decision to remove tariffs on goods from 53 African countries.
The policy took effect on May 1.
Jideani described the tariff removal as a strategic opening for Nigerian exporters, saying it would strengthen Africa-China trade relations and improve market access for Nigerian products.
He said the organised private sector views the development with cautious optimism due to its potential economic implications for Nigeria.
According to him, the initiative offers Nigeria the chance to expand exports into one of the world’s largest consumer markets. Sectors likely to benefit include agriculture, agro-processing, solid minerals, and light manufacturing.
Jideani noted that improved market access could boost the competitiveness of Nigerian products in China. Effective utilisation of the policy, he added, could support export diversification and increase foreign exchange earnings.
However, the ACCI boss warned that market access alone would not guarantee success. Exporters must meet the strict quality standards, packaging requirements, and supply consistency demanded by the Chinese market.
Jideani emphasised the need for government support to help businesses improve product quality and competitiveness. He identified high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, logistics bottlenecks, and limited access to affordable financing as major challenges facing Nigerian exporters.
He cautioned that Nigeria must guard against a widening trade imbalance despite the new export opportunities. He called for deliberate measures to strengthen local production, promote value addition, and reduce excessive dependence on imports.
The Director-General stressed that boosting domestic industries and industrial capacity would enable Nigeria to maximise the benefits of the policy while protecting local businesses and jobs.
He advocated for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector, urging the government to implement export promotion policies, improve trade facilitation, and support businesses with standards certification and customs procedures.
Jideani expressed optimism that effective implementation would significantly enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the Chinese market.
