Africa is being encouraged to make good use of China’s new zero-tariff policy to grow its exports and speed up industrial growth on the continent.
The call came during a seminar in Lagos organised by the Centre for China Studies, in partnership with the Chinese Embassy and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. Speaking at the event, NIIA Director-General Professor Eghosa Osaghae praised China’s long-standing support for Africa and urged countries to seize the opportunity.
He stressed that African nations need to work more closely through regional bodies like ECOWAS and the East African Community, while also using the African Continental Free Trade Area to ensure the benefits of the policy are widely felt. Without strong regional cooperation, he warned, many countries may not fully gain from the tariff-free access.
Manufacturers in Nigeria welcomed the policy but cautioned that local producers may find it hard to compete unless the government tackles high energy costs and unreliable electricity. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria also pointed to other challenges, including poor infrastructure, multiple taxation, expensive loans, insecurity, and a shortage of skilled workers. It called on China to support real industrial partnerships that include technology transfer and local production.
Exporters and business groups in Lagos echoed the same concern. They said government agencies need to work together better to reduce delays at ports, while also helping businesses improve product quality and packaging so they can compete in international markets.
China’s Consul-General in Lagos noted that trade between both countries reached $18 billion in the first half of the year, up 35 percent from the same period last year. Imports from Nigeria alone rose 80 percent to $2.3 billion. She said the zero-tariff policy will open wider doors for African goods and give fresh energy to China-Africa trade ties.
