Nigeria’s leading business body, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has kicked off a renewed push to expand trade and investment ties with China through a high-level business forum now underway in Guangzhou.
The gathering represents more than an event — it marks the revival of direct engagement between Nigerian enterprises and Chinese partners, a practice last seen in 2015. At the heart of this initiative is a shared goal: giving Nigerian businesses greater exposure and stronger representation within one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
During a closed-door session between NACCIMA delegates and the Nigerian Consulate in Guangzhou, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to boosting formal business cooperation. Although many Nigerians in Guangzhou are active in logistics and small-scale trade, the Consul General, Ambassador Collins Onwueke, noted that large-scale Nigerian investments and corporate operations remain limited. He commended NACCIMA for its renewed effort and praised its President, Dr. Jani Ibrahim, for assembling a strong team to rekindle Nigeria’s commercial visibility in China.
Ambassador Onwueke added that frequent exchanges such as this would help Chinese investors better appreciate Nigeria’s entrepreneurial creativity and capacity for innovation.
Dr. Ibrahim, in turn, expressed gratitude for the Consulate’s warm reception, describing the Consul’s personal welcome at the airport as a sign of goodwill and partnership. He applauded both sides for aligning toward Nigeria’s broader trade and investment vision, calling the forum “a decisive move toward structured cooperation between business communities of both nations.”
He explained that NACCIMA’s overarching mission is to link Nigerian enterprises with international markets, with China — particularly the Guangdong province — positioned as a vital partner in that strategy. Emphasizing the shift from transactional trade to long-term collaboration, he stated,
“China’s progress in technology and industrial growth is remarkable. Nigeria must evolve from being just a consumer market to a development partner.”
To institutionalize this relationship, Dr. Ibrahim proposed creating a joint framework between NACCIMA and the Nigerian Consulate. The initiative would feature recurring trade missions, coordinated investment programs, and the establishment of a China Relations Desk within NACCIMA to ensure consistent follow-up on agreements. He also invited the Consul General to attend the association’s next business forum in Nigeria.
The NACCIMA delegation later joined Chinese officials and Nigerian representatives at the opening of the Guangzhou International 2025 Shoes Festival, which also marked the beginning of the Business Forum. The exhibition featured cutting-edge footwear and leather designs, product demonstrations, and displays from globally recognized manufacturers.
While touring the Leather World Pavilion, Nigerian delegates held discussions with Chinese investors and producers exploring potential joint ventures. Talks centered on industrial capacity building, technology transfer, and value-chain development — key areas that could accelerate growth in Nigeria’s leather and footwear industries.
Held at the Window of Canton on November 4, 2025, the NACCIMA Business Forum underscored the association’s long-term ambition to deepen trade ties, attract foreign investment, and position Nigerian businesses as credible players on the global stage.
