The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called on Nigeria to take full advantage of China’s new tariff-free policy for goods from 53 African countries by strengthening local processing and value addition to enhance global competitiveness.
The President of the chamber, Chief Emeka Obegolu, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while reacting to China’s decision to eliminate tariffs on imports from African nations.
Obegolu warned that Nigeria must avoid remaining a mere exporter of raw materials, stressing the need to prioritise value addition and local processing to improve the competitiveness of Nigerian products in international markets.
“Nigeria should use the opportunity to shift from overdependence on crude oil exports to agriculture, manufacturing and value-added exports,” he said.
He described China’s zero-tariff policy as a significant opportunity for Nigeria’s export sector, noting that it could drive industrialisation, expand exports and strengthen trade relations between China and African countries.
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According to him, the initiative would also promote balanced trade, economic cooperation and inclusive growth across the continent.
Obegolu urged Nigerian businesses to increase production of agro-processed and manufactured goods targeted at the Chinese market, identifying cocoa, sesame, cashew, ginger, leather products, textiles and processed agricultural goods as key areas with strong export potential.
He added that ACCI would mobilise businesses, investors, SMEs and other stakeholders to develop export value chains that meet international standards.
The ACCI president noted that the policy comes at a critical time as global trade dynamics continue to shift, adding that Nigeria stands to benefit through improved competitiveness of its products in China.
He further stated that the policy could boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs and support industrial growth if properly harnessed.
Obegolu emphasised the need for increased investment in agro-processing, storage, logistics, quality control, packaging and infrastructure, while calling on government at all levels to support policies that promote ease of doing business, export financing and industrial development.
He also advocated stronger public–private collaboration to develop export-driven industries and encouraged youth and women entrepreneurs to actively participate in international trade.
Obegolu reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to supporting trade facilitation, enterprise development and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
China’s President, Xi Jinping, had announced the zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries on February 14, 2026, during the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. The policy officially took effect on May 1, 2026, granting African exporters greater access to the Chinese market.
