Nigeria and China have maintained a strong trade relationship, with transactions surpassing $21 billion in 2024. While China recently granted tariff exemptions to 33 African countries, Nigeria was not included, raising concerns about Nigeria's trade policies and its competitiveness.
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Friday, March 21, 2025
Video - Nigeria advocates for China tariff exemptions
Nigeria and China have maintained a strong trade relationship, with transactions surpassing $21 billion in 2024. While China recently granted tariff exemptions to 33 African countries, Nigeria was not included, raising concerns about Nigeria's trade policies and its competitiveness.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Nigeria, China crack down on Chinese nationals in financial crimes
Nigeria and China said this week they will cooperate in efforts to crack down on the increasing number of Chinese nationals taking part in financial crimes in the African country.
The joint effort comes after Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai visited Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, in Abuja.
In a statement posted to the EFCC website Tuesday, Dunhai expressed regret over the rising trend of Chinese nationals engaged in financial crimes in Nigeria.
He assured Nigerian authorities that the Chinese government is ready to send delegates to work with local law enforcement agencies to address the issue.
At the same time, Dunhai urged authorities to protect the rights of Chinese citizens while investigations are conducted.
Since November, Nigerian authorities have arrested at least 400 Chinese nationals suspected of cybercrime, telecom fraud and illegal mining. Many of them are facing trial.
But Nigerian political analyst Chukwudi Odoeme warned that China’s influence over the process could undermine the rule of law.
“The collaboration looks good, but then the relationship between Nigeria and China is something that is suspicious in this particular arrangement,” Odoeme said. “The collaboration may be defeated in the sense that China will have undue influence, and it may even lead to political release of those persons instead of subjecting them through the criminal trial system in Nigeria.”
China is Nigeria’s largest trading partner by value, with trade totaling $5 billion in 2023.
In the first quarter of last year, Chinese companies provided 23% of Nigeria’s total imports.
Critics argue that Chinese nationals are exploiting trade routes and immigration loopholes to enter Nigeria illegally and engage in criminal activities.
Authorities say many of the arrested Chinese nationals were found to be living in Nigeria without proper documentation.
Public affairs analyst Jaye Gaskia raised concerns about the transparency of the collaboration.
“On what basis are you going into this collaboration? For what purpose?” he asked. “The conversations around trying to develop such collaborative strategies also need to be transparent, so that citizens will be able to interrogate the process to see whether national interest is going to be somehow undermined.
“We have to be careful, and we have to ensure who does the prosecution,” Gaskia said. “The best-case scenario is for the country not to cede its own sovereignty in terms of how this is going to happen.”
Nigeria’s debt to China exceeds $5 billion — more than the bilateral loans owed to all other countries combined.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is seeking China’s backing to join the grouping of the world’s 20 largest economies, the G20, and secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
But political analyst Rotimi Olawale believes the debt should not influence how Nigeria handles criminal cases.
“I don’t think that the debt we owe China, $5 billion, will affect anything,” Olawale said. “That’s government-to-government relations. The most important thing is that the case should not be politicized. We must clearly define our rules and uphold our laws.”
Previously, Nigeria’s parliament called for the mass deportation of illegal Chinese migrants.
By Timothy Obiezu, VOA
The joint effort comes after Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai visited Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, in Abuja.
In a statement posted to the EFCC website Tuesday, Dunhai expressed regret over the rising trend of Chinese nationals engaged in financial crimes in Nigeria.
He assured Nigerian authorities that the Chinese government is ready to send delegates to work with local law enforcement agencies to address the issue.
At the same time, Dunhai urged authorities to protect the rights of Chinese citizens while investigations are conducted.
Since November, Nigerian authorities have arrested at least 400 Chinese nationals suspected of cybercrime, telecom fraud and illegal mining. Many of them are facing trial.
But Nigerian political analyst Chukwudi Odoeme warned that China’s influence over the process could undermine the rule of law.
“The collaboration looks good, but then the relationship between Nigeria and China is something that is suspicious in this particular arrangement,” Odoeme said. “The collaboration may be defeated in the sense that China will have undue influence, and it may even lead to political release of those persons instead of subjecting them through the criminal trial system in Nigeria.”
China is Nigeria’s largest trading partner by value, with trade totaling $5 billion in 2023.
In the first quarter of last year, Chinese companies provided 23% of Nigeria’s total imports.
Critics argue that Chinese nationals are exploiting trade routes and immigration loopholes to enter Nigeria illegally and engage in criminal activities.
Authorities say many of the arrested Chinese nationals were found to be living in Nigeria without proper documentation.
Public affairs analyst Jaye Gaskia raised concerns about the transparency of the collaboration.
“On what basis are you going into this collaboration? For what purpose?” he asked. “The conversations around trying to develop such collaborative strategies also need to be transparent, so that citizens will be able to interrogate the process to see whether national interest is going to be somehow undermined.
“We have to be careful, and we have to ensure who does the prosecution,” Gaskia said. “The best-case scenario is for the country not to cede its own sovereignty in terms of how this is going to happen.”
Nigeria’s debt to China exceeds $5 billion — more than the bilateral loans owed to all other countries combined.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is seeking China’s backing to join the grouping of the world’s 20 largest economies, the G20, and secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
But political analyst Rotimi Olawale believes the debt should not influence how Nigeria handles criminal cases.
“I don’t think that the debt we owe China, $5 billion, will affect anything,” Olawale said. “That’s government-to-government relations. The most important thing is that the case should not be politicized. We must clearly define our rules and uphold our laws.”
Previously, Nigeria’s parliament called for the mass deportation of illegal Chinese migrants.
By Timothy Obiezu, VOA
Thursday, March 6, 2025
China seeks rights protection for its arrested citizens in Nigeria
Troubled by the incessant arrest of its citizens for fraud and other criminal activities in Nigeria, the Chinese government is stepping in.
Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai has asked Nigerian authorities to respect the rights of Chinese citizens arrested in the country. Yu, who led a delegation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also suggested the idea of a Chinese team working with the agency to tackle cybercrime.
He expressed regret over the alleged involvement of Chinese citizens in crime in Nigeria.
The Africa Report revealed the mass arrest of Chinese nationals, especially in Lagos and Abuja, for cybercrime and illegal mining activities in January, with sources stating that the Nigerian government’s push for Chinese investments had opened the door to illegal activities.
“As the Chinese ambassador, I would also request that the legitimate right of the Chinese citizens, even if they committed a crime, should be well protected,” he was quoted in a statement issued by Nigeria’s anti-corruption watchdog.
“We understand that over the past couple of months, the EFCC uncovered some cybercrime and telecom frauds which involved some Chinese. As a Chinese ambassador, I feel much regret for that, but as a country that has a big population, there are always some bad apples,” Yu said.
Bola Akinterinwa, the Vice Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, tells our correspondent that China’s demand for the protection of the rights of the citizens is not out of order but anything more that that would be strange especially because acts of corruption in China carry the death penalty.
Akinterinwa, who is a former head of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, adds that even though Nigeria is bound to enforce its own local laws, it could make exceptions for China in pursuit of its own goals which could have larger benefits for millions of its citizens.
“Nigeria could close its eyes (to infractions) if it wants to get certain deals from China like loans, technology transfer for the sake of its larger interest and then give them soft landing to the Chinese citizens. It is solely within the right of the Nigerian government on what steps to take,” he adds.
By Eniola Akinkuotu, The Africa Report
Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai has asked Nigerian authorities to respect the rights of Chinese citizens arrested in the country. Yu, who led a delegation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also suggested the idea of a Chinese team working with the agency to tackle cybercrime.
He expressed regret over the alleged involvement of Chinese citizens in crime in Nigeria.
The Africa Report revealed the mass arrest of Chinese nationals, especially in Lagos and Abuja, for cybercrime and illegal mining activities in January, with sources stating that the Nigerian government’s push for Chinese investments had opened the door to illegal activities.
“As the Chinese ambassador, I would also request that the legitimate right of the Chinese citizens, even if they committed a crime, should be well protected,” he was quoted in a statement issued by Nigeria’s anti-corruption watchdog.
“We understand that over the past couple of months, the EFCC uncovered some cybercrime and telecom frauds which involved some Chinese. As a Chinese ambassador, I feel much regret for that, but as a country that has a big population, there are always some bad apples,” Yu said.
Bola Akinterinwa, the Vice Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, tells our correspondent that China’s demand for the protection of the rights of the citizens is not out of order but anything more that that would be strange especially because acts of corruption in China carry the death penalty.
Akinterinwa, who is a former head of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, adds that even though Nigeria is bound to enforce its own local laws, it could make exceptions for China in pursuit of its own goals which could have larger benefits for millions of its citizens.
“Nigeria could close its eyes (to infractions) if it wants to get certain deals from China like loans, technology transfer for the sake of its larger interest and then give them soft landing to the Chinese citizens. It is solely within the right of the Nigerian government on what steps to take,” he adds.
Fundamental human rights
He also expressed China’s zero tolerance for corruption, adding that available intelligence suggested that those involved in crime came to Nigeria from other countries.
Responding, EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede said the anti-corruption agency will continue to respect the rights of all suspects, including Chinese citizens.
“While we’re preparing for prosecution, they were giving your people Chinese food. That is to show you how we respect fundamental human rights and due process,” said the anti-corruption czar.
Olukoyede said mutual respect and benefit have been the bedrock of the Nigeria-China relationship and this will remain so. He stressed that not all Asians arrested by the EFCC and prosecuted are from China.
He also expressed China’s zero tolerance for corruption, adding that available intelligence suggested that those involved in crime came to Nigeria from other countries.
Responding, EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede said the anti-corruption agency will continue to respect the rights of all suspects, including Chinese citizens.
“While we’re preparing for prosecution, they were giving your people Chinese food. That is to show you how we respect fundamental human rights and due process,” said the anti-corruption czar.
Olukoyede said mutual respect and benefit have been the bedrock of the Nigeria-China relationship and this will remain so. He stressed that not all Asians arrested by the EFCC and prosecuted are from China.
Working relationship
China is the largest investor in Nigeria’s solid minerals, especially lithium. However, there have been accusations that a handful of Chinese nationals coming under the guise of investing had been engaged in illegal mining.
Some Nigerian senators had a few weeks ago called for a full investigation and invited immigration officials to explain the influx of such visitors.
However, Nigeria’s foreign ministry downplayed the issue when China’s foreign minister Wang Xi visited in January.
“We shouldn’t single out China and say everything they’re doing is bad. Suffice it to say, Chinese citizens are doing more good than harm in Nigeria,” said Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s foreign minister.
Nigeria’s debt to China exceeds $5bn. The sum is more than the bilateral loans owed to all other countries combined, according to the debt management office. Abuja has also been seeking favours from Beijing especially regarding full membership of BRICS, joining the G20 and getting a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
However, some illegal activities had become too big to ignore, officials said.
Speaking to The Africa Report, David Aworawo, a professor of international relations at the University of Lagos, says the relationship between Nigeria and China will remain cordial as long as citizens’ rights are respected.
“I don’t see a division in the Nigeria/China relations over the arrests. What needs to be done is what China has said. Let there be respect for human rights and fairness. Once this happens, there shouldn’t be any friction,” Aworawo says.
China is the largest investor in Nigeria’s solid minerals, especially lithium. However, there have been accusations that a handful of Chinese nationals coming under the guise of investing had been engaged in illegal mining.
Some Nigerian senators had a few weeks ago called for a full investigation and invited immigration officials to explain the influx of such visitors.
However, Nigeria’s foreign ministry downplayed the issue when China’s foreign minister Wang Xi visited in January.
“We shouldn’t single out China and say everything they’re doing is bad. Suffice it to say, Chinese citizens are doing more good than harm in Nigeria,” said Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s foreign minister.
Nigeria’s debt to China exceeds $5bn. The sum is more than the bilateral loans owed to all other countries combined, according to the debt management office. Abuja has also been seeking favours from Beijing especially regarding full membership of BRICS, joining the G20 and getting a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
However, some illegal activities had become too big to ignore, officials said.
Speaking to The Africa Report, David Aworawo, a professor of international relations at the University of Lagos, says the relationship between Nigeria and China will remain cordial as long as citizens’ rights are respected.
“I don’t see a division in the Nigeria/China relations over the arrests. What needs to be done is what China has said. Let there be respect for human rights and fairness. Once this happens, there shouldn’t be any friction,” Aworawo says.
Monday, March 3, 2025
Video - Chinese short web dramas gain popularity in Nigeria
Chinese short web dramas are steadily gaining popularity in Nigeria. Many Nigerians are willing to pay for access to platforms like DramaBox and ReelShort, as the trend is changing viewing habits.
MTN Nigeria and Huawei Complete World’s First Commercial FDD Tri-Band Massive MIMO Deployment
This breakthrough has led to a 90% surge in LTE traffic volume and a 252% increase in user-perceived rates during peak hours over the previous 4T4R setup. The deployment has enabled MTN to achieve its goals of improving network capacity and user experience.
Over the past two years, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has undergone a rapid transition from 2G/3G to 4G, accompanied by a surge in new digital services. This transition has doubled traffic demand on MTN Nigeria’s networks, leading to an average PRB usage of 60% and over 90% in hotspot areas. To meet these growing needs, MTN Nigeria and Huawei have collaborated to scale the adoption of single-band FDD Massive MIMO. They successfully introduced the world’s first FDD Massive MIMO six-sector site, which has significantly improved network spectral efficiency and capacity.
This commercial FDD tri-band Massive MIMO solution, the first of its kind worldwide, is a significant milestone in mobile network development. Huawei had only recently announced the global launch of this solution that features a downlink LTE capacity three to four times higher than the previous 4T4R setup. Furthermore, it can amplify capacity by up to 7 times as the networks evolve to NR. The solution uses the industry-leading true wideband and compact dipole technologies to implement integrated deployment of 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, and 2.6 GHz bands while maintaining the same device size as traditional dual-band Massive MIMO. This design adds frequency bands and power without increasing weight or frontal area of devices, ensuring excellent performance and easy deployment.
Through long-term collaboration and innovation, MTN and Huawei have achieved remarkable success in the FDD Massive MIMO field. The world’s first commercial FDD tri-band Massive MIMO significantly enhances network performance, enabling MTN to deliver an exceptional user experience. Both parties will continue to drive technological innovation, tackle key challenges in network development, and provide superior communication services to users.
Over the past two years, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has undergone a rapid transition from 2G/3G to 4G, accompanied by a surge in new digital services. This transition has doubled traffic demand on MTN Nigeria’s networks, leading to an average PRB usage of 60% and over 90% in hotspot areas. To meet these growing needs, MTN Nigeria and Huawei have collaborated to scale the adoption of single-band FDD Massive MIMO. They successfully introduced the world’s first FDD Massive MIMO six-sector site, which has significantly improved network spectral efficiency and capacity.
This commercial FDD tri-band Massive MIMO solution, the first of its kind worldwide, is a significant milestone in mobile network development. Huawei had only recently announced the global launch of this solution that features a downlink LTE capacity three to four times higher than the previous 4T4R setup. Furthermore, it can amplify capacity by up to 7 times as the networks evolve to NR. The solution uses the industry-leading true wideband and compact dipole technologies to implement integrated deployment of 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, and 2.6 GHz bands while maintaining the same device size as traditional dual-band Massive MIMO. This design adds frequency bands and power without increasing weight or frontal area of devices, ensuring excellent performance and easy deployment.
Through long-term collaboration and innovation, MTN and Huawei have achieved remarkable success in the FDD Massive MIMO field. The world’s first commercial FDD tri-band Massive MIMO significantly enhances network performance, enabling MTN to deliver an exceptional user experience. Both parties will continue to drive technological innovation, tackle key challenges in network development, and provide superior communication services to users.
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Chinese lithium firms take over copycat Nigeria refinery project
Two Chinese manufacturers have taken over a Nigerian company that raised eyebrows in 2023 when it started building a lithium refinery in the country using a name that was very similar to one of the biggest and best-known Chinese producers.
A joint venture between Canmax Technologies Co. Ltd. and Jiangxi Jiuling Lithium Co. Ltd. last year took a controlling interest in Ganfeng Lithium Industry Ltd., a firm developing a lithium plant in the north of the West African nation, according to company documents obtained by Bloomberg.
Nigeria-registered Ganfeng was founded by Chinese businessmen in 2022, and created confusion a year later when it hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of the processing plant, which local authorities said will cost $250 million.
Shortly after the event, the company issued a statement to local media saying it had “no formal affiliation whatsoever” with Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd., one of the world’s biggest suppliers of lithium chemicals. A company representative offered no explanation as to why it was trading under a similar name.
Canmax and Jiuling’s takeover of the company — which corporate records show occurred in mid-2024 — brings financial clout and operating nous to the development of Nigeria’s nascent lithium industry, which has typically shipped raw ore to China for further treatment.
The investments signal that Chinese lithium companies are doubling down on efforts to lock down feedstock in anticipation of soaring future demand for the metal used in electric-vehicle batteries. They’ve been investing heavily in Africa’s lithium deposits from Mali to Zimbabwe, even after prices tumbled almost 90% from a peak in 2022.
Separately, Canmax also announced this month that it will invest over $200 million to develop two lithium mining deposits elsewhere in northern Nigeria, working with local company Three Crown Mines Ltd.
Shenzhen-listed Canmax is a large producer of lithium chemicals whose founder, Pei Zhenhua, made his fortune as an investor in Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd., the world’s top EV battery maker. Pei and CATL co-own a separate lithium mining and processing joint venture. Jiuling is a chemical producer based in Jiangxi – one of China’s lithium mining hubs – and a supplier to CATL.
Nigeria has sizable untapped deposits of metals including gold, tin and lithium, but most extraction is done informally by so-called artisanal miners on a small-scale or manual basis.
The Nigerian Ganfeng signed an agreement in September allowing the company to mine lithium for 10 years under permits held by a firm owned by the government of Nasarawa state – the location of the plant under construction.
The first phase of the facility is due for completion by the middle of this year and the second phase four months later, said Ibrahim Abdullahi, the chief executive officer of the state’s development and investment agency. “Nasarawa state is pleased with this investment and welcomes more of it,” he said.
Canmax and Jiuling, which together own 75% of the Nigerian Ganfeng, declined to comment. Nigeria’s federal mines ministry didn’t respond to questions about the acquisition or how much lithium concentrate it will produce.
By William Clowes, Annie Lee and Nduka Orjinmo, Bloomberg
A joint venture between Canmax Technologies Co. Ltd. and Jiangxi Jiuling Lithium Co. Ltd. last year took a controlling interest in Ganfeng Lithium Industry Ltd., a firm developing a lithium plant in the north of the West African nation, according to company documents obtained by Bloomberg.
Nigeria-registered Ganfeng was founded by Chinese businessmen in 2022, and created confusion a year later when it hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of the processing plant, which local authorities said will cost $250 million.
Shortly after the event, the company issued a statement to local media saying it had “no formal affiliation whatsoever” with Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd., one of the world’s biggest suppliers of lithium chemicals. A company representative offered no explanation as to why it was trading under a similar name.
Canmax and Jiuling’s takeover of the company — which corporate records show occurred in mid-2024 — brings financial clout and operating nous to the development of Nigeria’s nascent lithium industry, which has typically shipped raw ore to China for further treatment.
The investments signal that Chinese lithium companies are doubling down on efforts to lock down feedstock in anticipation of soaring future demand for the metal used in electric-vehicle batteries. They’ve been investing heavily in Africa’s lithium deposits from Mali to Zimbabwe, even after prices tumbled almost 90% from a peak in 2022.
Separately, Canmax also announced this month that it will invest over $200 million to develop two lithium mining deposits elsewhere in northern Nigeria, working with local company Three Crown Mines Ltd.
Shenzhen-listed Canmax is a large producer of lithium chemicals whose founder, Pei Zhenhua, made his fortune as an investor in Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd., the world’s top EV battery maker. Pei and CATL co-own a separate lithium mining and processing joint venture. Jiuling is a chemical producer based in Jiangxi – one of China’s lithium mining hubs – and a supplier to CATL.
Nigeria has sizable untapped deposits of metals including gold, tin and lithium, but most extraction is done informally by so-called artisanal miners on a small-scale or manual basis.
The Nigerian Ganfeng signed an agreement in September allowing the company to mine lithium for 10 years under permits held by a firm owned by the government of Nasarawa state – the location of the plant under construction.
The first phase of the facility is due for completion by the middle of this year and the second phase four months later, said Ibrahim Abdullahi, the chief executive officer of the state’s development and investment agency. “Nasarawa state is pleased with this investment and welcomes more of it,” he said.
Canmax and Jiuling, which together own 75% of the Nigerian Ganfeng, declined to comment. Nigeria’s federal mines ministry didn’t respond to questions about the acquisition or how much lithium concentrate it will produce.
Related story: Global investors eye Nigeria’s lithium reserves
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Video - Chinese community in Nigeria celebrates in Abuja
Members of the Chinese community in Abuja have joined millions around the world to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. Festivities to bring in the Year of the Snake featured a colorful display of Chinese cuisine, music, and dance performances for more than 2,000 attendees.
Friday, January 10, 2025
Video - Analyst highlights key sectors benefiting from China-Nigeria relations
The development of Nigeria-China relations is robust, with multiple sectors recording gains. Analysts project even more benefits in the period ahead.
Nigeria, China deepen ties with pledge on security, finance and economic growth
Nigeria and China plan to deepen cooperation in areas such as clean energy, defence and finance, with China pledging support for Nigeria's issuance of Panda bonds to fund infrastructure, the two countries' foreign ministers said on Thursday.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi also outlined efforts to address regional security challenges.
Wang was visiting Nigeria as part of a wider four-nation tour of Africa, an annual journey seen as aimed at advancing Beijing's already considerable influence on the continent.
His visit to Nigeria follows recent high-level exchanges, including intergovernmental committee talks in Beijing last June and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's state visit to China in September.
These meetings have culminated in the elevation of bilateral relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership", Wang told a press conference.
Wang said China will "favourably study and consider" a request by Nigeria to expand a currency swap agreement.
On regional peace and security, Wang said that at the United Nations Security Council China would always vote in favour of Africa, adding it would continue to support Nigeria in rallying countries in the region.
"We will work with Africa to address insecurity and achieve long-term stability through development," he said.
By Ope Adetayo and Camillus Eboh, Reuters
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi also outlined efforts to address regional security challenges.
Wang was visiting Nigeria as part of a wider four-nation tour of Africa, an annual journey seen as aimed at advancing Beijing's already considerable influence on the continent.
His visit to Nigeria follows recent high-level exchanges, including intergovernmental committee talks in Beijing last June and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's state visit to China in September.
These meetings have culminated in the elevation of bilateral relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership", Wang told a press conference.
Wang said China will "favourably study and consider" a request by Nigeria to expand a currency swap agreement.
On regional peace and security, Wang said that at the United Nations Security Council China would always vote in favour of Africa, adding it would continue to support Nigeria in rallying countries in the region.
"We will work with Africa to address insecurity and achieve long-term stability through development," he said.
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
China Development Bank releases $255 mln for Nigeria rail project
China Development Bank has released a $254.76 million loan to Nigeria for a railway project linking the two northern states of Kano and Kaduna, the bank said, ahead of a visit to the West African country by China's top diplomat this week.
As part of his annual New Year tour of Africa, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday and meet President Bola Tinubu and senior government officials on Thursday, Nigeria's foreign affairs ministry said.
Construction of the Kaduna-to-Kano rail project, which is expected to cost $973 million, has been slowed by funding delays.
China Development Bank said in a statement on its website that the loan would provide financial support for the smooth progress of the 203-kilometre (126-mile) standard-gauge railway.
"Once completed, it will provide direct rail connectivity between Kano, an important northern city in Nigeria, and the country's capital Abuja, offering local residents a safe, efficient, and convenient mode of transportation," the bank said.
Nigeria's parliament first approved China's Exim Bank as financier for the rail project in 2020 but the bank later withdrew.
The Kano-Kaduna railway project is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative and is being constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.
It is also expected to ease movement of people and goods in a region, where road travellers face attacks from armed gangs who kidnap for ransom.
China is among Nigeria's largest bilateral lenders, providing loans for roads, rail and power stations.
As part of his annual New Year tour of Africa, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday and meet President Bola Tinubu and senior government officials on Thursday, Nigeria's foreign affairs ministry said.
Construction of the Kaduna-to-Kano rail project, which is expected to cost $973 million, has been slowed by funding delays.
China Development Bank said in a statement on its website that the loan would provide financial support for the smooth progress of the 203-kilometre (126-mile) standard-gauge railway.
"Once completed, it will provide direct rail connectivity between Kano, an important northern city in Nigeria, and the country's capital Abuja, offering local residents a safe, efficient, and convenient mode of transportation," the bank said.
Nigeria's parliament first approved China's Exim Bank as financier for the rail project in 2020 but the bank later withdrew.
The Kano-Kaduna railway project is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative and is being constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.
It is also expected to ease movement of people and goods in a region, where road travellers face attacks from armed gangs who kidnap for ransom.
China is among Nigeria's largest bilateral lenders, providing loans for roads, rail and power stations.
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Temu most downloaded app in Nigeria
Chinese online retailer Temu has become the most downloaded app in Nigeria on both the Android and Apple app stores in just a few weeks since ads started promoting its availability in the country.
The ranking by app tracking platform Similarweb comes after consumers were hit with an advertising blitz on social media that signaled the company’s entry into the country. Goods on Temu are now available in the local currency, naira, and available for delivery to Nigerian addresses.
Temu’s parent is the company behind Chinese online marketplace Pinduoduo. It first launched in the US in 2022 and has developed a reputation for being a retailer with cheap consumer wares that are quickly delivered, often drawing comparisons with Chinese fast fashion rival Shein.
After launching in South Africa earlier in the year, Nigeria becomes Temu’s second bet in Africa.
Temu was the top advertiser on Meta last year by reportedly spending nearly $2 billion on ads. In the US, the blitz has put it in contention for shoppers’ dollars as it drives up advertising costs and takes attention away from long-time players like Etsy.
Competition in Nigerian e-commerce is between smaller stores selling specific products and Africa-wide providers like Jumia. A leaner operations model focused on achieving profitability has seen Jumia reduce its advertising spend in the last two years.
The tenor of reactions to Temu’s Nigeria entry from industry analysts and consumers is a mix of admiration and anxiety. The retailer’s ascent to the top of the download charts indicates a successful launch strategy but there are fears that its operations will deplete local markets.
Beyond advertising, what could make Temu a seismic actor for Nigerian e-commerce is the control it has over its value chain, analysts say. Unlike many online retailers who act as middlemen between manufacturers and consumers, Temu is able to ship directly from factories in China. It gives the company a wide latitude to fulfil a vast variety of products at potentially cheaper prices.
And in emerging markets where price sensitivity means consumers have little loyalty to brands, Temu will effectively be preferred to other retailers.
Combined with gamified shopping that makes for an alluring user experience, the company’s presence could be “very, very dangerous, not only for Africa’s homegrown ecommerce platforms, but also for its fledgling fashion and design sector,” said Marie Lora-Mungai, an analyst who covers African creative industries.
Indeed, there have been some shifts in African e-commerce since Temu’s arrival on the continent.
Nigeria and South Africa could calm their local markets’ anxieties over the activities of global offshore online retailers by demanding concessions, Lora-Mugai said. “More specifically, I would force the platform to build factories and train workers locally.”
But some observers say only extreme measures like a ban will preserve local capacity. The takeover of e-commerce by foreign companies would be akin to Netflix and YouTube becoming preferred to local platforms for film distribution, said Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, a Nigerian film journalist and online publisher.
“Across fields, we have a new anthem: If it comes from Nigeria and a rival shows up from overseas, they’ll win. But you can’t really build a country’s economy like this,” he said.
Takealot, the Naspers-owned company that is South Africa’s largest online store, sold its fashion retail unit Superbalist in September. In October, Jumia closed Zando, a fashion retail unit that a few months earlier specifically named Temu and Shein among the companies it hoped to counter as a “trustworthy alternative” for African consumers looking to shop internationally.
When Takealot reported its financial results earlier this year, it accused Temu and Shein of exploiting loopholes “by using shipping methods that allow them to offer products at exceptionally low prices while avoiding duties, taxes and other government fees imposed on conventional retailers.”
It warned South African policymakers to update regulations to avoid widening disparities that could hurt local businesses. Its concern was echoed by the Institute for Chartered Entrepreneurs, a trade group that claimed both Chinese companies’ presence in South Africa could have “deleterious effects” and set back efforts to grow local industries.
By Alexander Onukwue, SEMAFOR
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Nigeria signs $1.2 billion deal with Chinese state-owned company to revamp key gas plant
Nigeria has inked a $1.2 billion deal with a Chinese firm to revitalize a gas processing facility, a move that officials say could propel the African country to a leading position in aluminum production.
The deal between the Chinese state-owned CNCEC and the BFI Group, a major investor in the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria, is expected to revive the 135 million standard cubic feet gas processing facility plant at the smelter. It was announced Tuesday by Nigeria's minister of state for gas via a post on the social platform X.
Minister of State for Gas Ekperikpe Ekpo expressed optimism about the “significant investment,” stating that it would position the smelter “back on the path to becoming a leading aluminum producer for both domestic and international markets.”
Nigeria and China’s economic relationship deepened in 2016, when the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari visited Chinese President Xi Jinping and signed a number of agreements. Since then, Chinese companies have been contracted to build railways and provide infrastructure in Africa’s most populous country.
Despite being a major oil producer in Africa, Nigeria has some of the world’s highest poverty and hunger levels.
President Bola Tinubu, who took office last year, initiated reforms to reduce government spending and attract foreign investment. However, the country continues to face economic challenges, including a 28-year high inflation rate. Its currency, the naira, is at record lows against the dollar.
Many Nigerians have taken the streets in recent months to protest against the economic hardship they say is caused by the reforms. In August, at least 20 protesters were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested.
By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Video - Nigeria tourism stakeholders welcome Chinese infrastructure investment
Nigeria is home to a range of incredible attractions, but many sites remain difficult to access due to poor infrastructure and neglect. China's infrastructure agreements with Nigeria could change this, paving way for a more accessible tourism sector through road, energy, and railway projects.
Monday, September 16, 2024
Video - Nigeria, China revive $2.4 billion currency swap deal
Nigeria and China have agreed to expand their currency swap agreement, aiming to boost trade in Naira and Yuan, originally signed in 2018. Experts say reducing Nigeria’s trade deficit will be key.
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Video - President Tinubu to advocate for increased investments in Nigeria at FOCAC summit
The Director of the Centre for China Studies in Abuja, Charles Onunaiju, says President Tinubu will focus on expanding and consolidating existing cooperation at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The expert emphasized that Nigeria urgently needs critical infrastructure, and the 2024 FOCAC summit presents a crucial platform to address that need.
Monday, September 2, 2024
Video - China's agricultural assistance improves Nigeria's cassava yields
The China-Nigeria partnership is spearheaded by the National Root Crops Research Institute and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences. The initiative aims to teach Nigerian farmers how to produce more with fewer resources.
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
President Tinubu to visit China seeking economic cooperation
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a visit to China next week to discuss cooperation on the economy, agriculture and satellite technology, a Nigerian government spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Tinubu, who has set in motion deep reforms in Africa's largest economy, will be in Beijing along with other African leaders to attend the China-Africa Cooperation Summit.
"This is going to be part of a broader engagement where the two heads of state will discuss matters of mutual interest across not just the economy, but also on issues of national, regional, and international security," the spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said.
Africa is a focus of China's flagship economic cooperation programme.
Tinubu's agenda in China will include site visits to two major Chinese companies: Huawei Technologies and the China Rail and Construction Corporation, as Nigeria looks to complete a high-speed rail line linking Ibadan in southwest Nigeria to the capital in Abuja. Tinubu will also meet with 10 CEOs of major Chinese companies across information and communications technology, oil and gas, aluminium production, seaport and harbour construction, financial services and satellite technology development.
Nigeria is seeking investment to boost its economy, which is battling double-digit inflation, foreign currency shortages and issues such as crude oil theft.
By Felix Onuah, Reuters
Related story: Video - NEVs, digital economy are key areas for cooperation with China according to foreign minister of Nigeria
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Video - NEVs, digital economy are key areas for cooperation with China according to foreign minister of Nigeria
During his official visit to China, Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said that the China-Africa cooperation framework, as represented by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative, has provided rare development opportunities for a broad range of African countries, including Nigeria, in an exclusive interview with CGTN's China Africa Talk host Bridget Mutambirwa.
Related story: Rail projects in Nigeria drive home China's belt and road commitment to African infrastructure development
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Video - Nigeria partners with Chinese firm to invest in first lithium processing plant
A Chinese firm has opened the first lithium processing plant in Nigeria, marking a departure from the past when firms mined and exported the mineral in its raw form from the country. The processing plant located in northwest Nigeria is a joint venture between Ming Xin Mineral Separation and the Kaduna state government.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Chinese-built metro rail offers exciting, comfortable ride in Abuja, Nigeria
For Anowai, whose enthusiasm was palpable, this ride was not only his first-ever train experience or journey from one station to another but also an opportunity to share something new and exciting with his followers about the Abuja light rail built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, a Chinese multinational construction giant.
"Everybody is relaxed. It is very smooth, clean, and, actually, a nice experience. It is something I want to do again, over and over again," he told Xinhua in an interview, capturing the moment on his camera phone clipped to a tripod.
Since its relaunch for commercial operation about a week ago, talks about the ARMT have been making the rounds, with local media abuzz with the prospect of the light rail system in the fast-developing Nigerian capital city.
With the sleek, air-conditioned new trains and well-secured stations symbolizing a step forward in urban commuting and providing a much-needed reprieve from the city's traffic congestion, the now invigorated service aims to serve as a beacon of hope amid the economic challenges faced by many in Nigeria's capital.
During the recent flag-off for commercial operation on May 29, President Bola Tinubu announced that rides on the new metro system would be free until the end of the year -- a move expected to encourage residents to embrace this new mode of transport and ease their economic burdens.
Tinubu, who took a ride on the train together with other top officials, described the operations on the Abuja metro line as "a symbolic milestone of enduring progress as a country and in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)," noting it came about as "a fruit of collaboration, dedication, progress, and foresightedness."
"The Abuja Metro was inherited by my administration, from my predecessor. It was first commissioned in 2018 for public use," he said, adding his administration prioritized its revitalization as part of a desire to have a functional and flourishing FCT with efficient public infrastructure and transportation systems that will serve the people who live and work within the city and the surrounding communities.
The completed 45-km Lot A1 and Lot 3 of the light rail, with a total length of 290 km offering intra-city shuttle service and connecting Abuja's satellite towns to metropolitan transport, are part of the Abuja rail mass transit project designed to have an interface with the national line at two points, where there would be interchanges to join the rail line linking the northern part of Nigeria.
It covers 12 stations, 21 operational offices, 13 bridges, 50 culverts, and nine pedestrian overpasses. The construction of the light rail and its use is expected to open up new towns and boost economic activities along the corridor of Gwagwa, Kalgoni, Dei-Dei, Kubwa, Kukwaba, Dasonga, Asa, among 12 satellite towns in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
For many passengers, the free ride period has been a much-appreciated relief. Miriam Akpan, a civil servant, expressed her satisfaction with the light rail service, saying: "It is a fantastic initiative."
"The train is comfortable, and the stations are well-maintained. Now, I can save a lot on transport costs going from my house to the office, and with the satisfaction that this is faster than being stuck in traffic at resumption and closing time," she said.
Naomi Oboi, a communications specialist, said she had "a very impressive" experience while using the train from the iconic Abuja Metro Station to the Airport Station, which covers a distance of 28 km, to complete an official assignment. Having used the light rail in Lagos, the country's economic hub, and metro trains in other parts of the world, she said her experience, from the zero-delay boarding to "every single thing" she saw during the travel time on ARMT was without much difference from her previous experiences.
"This is something that, especially with the increase in fuel prices in recent times, would really go a long way to help the average Nigerian, just like me, to make the transportation system very easy and better for us," Oboi said. "This is quality. This is very good, solid. I would say that I did not expect the train in Nigeria to be this solid, to be honest."
"Abuja could benefit from expansion plans," Mustapha Bello, a student at the University of Abuja, told Xinhua, noting that "as the city's residents adapt to this new system, the hope is that it will not only alleviate daily commuting woes but also contribute to the overall economic and social well-being of the Nigerian capital."
Reflecting on his "very unforgettable journey," Anowai expressed his hopes for the future of the rail service, wishing to have the light rail fully extended to Kuje, a low-income suburb of Abuja, where he lives, and works in the city center.
"It is just a smooth ride. I do not need to use public transport or drive my vehicle to this location. It has been a nice journey. This is more than an easy life," he added while adjusting his camera phone and tripod for his next content piece around the metro.
Chinese-made electric multiple unit (EMU) trains are seen at a depot in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 28, 2024. Since its relaunch for commercial operation about a week ago, talks about the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) have been making the rounds, with local media abuzz with the prospect of the light rail system in the fast-developing Nigerian capital city. (Xinhua/Yang Zhe)
Chinese-made electric multiple unit (EMU) trains run on the metro rail track in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 23, 2024. Since its relaunch for commercial operation about a week ago, talks about the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) have been making the rounds, with local media abuzz with the prospect of the light rail system in the fast-developing Nigerian capital city.
Staff members of the Abuja metro rail operation pose for a group photo in a carriage in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 29, 2024. Since its relaunch for commercial operation about a week ago, talks about the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) have been making the rounds, with local media abuzz with the prospect of the light rail system in the fast-developing Nigerian capital city.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (2nd R, Front) prepares to ride the Abuja metro in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 29, 2024. Since its relaunch for commercial operation about a week ago, talks about the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) have been making the rounds, with local media abuzz with the prospect of the light rail system in the fast-developing Nigerian capital city.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (C) speaks at the commercial operation ceremony of the Abuja metro rail in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 29, 2024. Since its relaunch for commercial operation about a week ago, talks about the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) have been making the rounds, with local media abuzz with the prospect of the light rail system in the fast-developing Nigerian capital city.
Chinese-made electric multiple unit (EMU) trains are seen at a depot in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 28, 2024. Since its relaunch for commercial operation about a week ago, talks about the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) have been making the rounds, with local media abuzz with the prospect of the light rail system in the fast-developing Nigerian capital city.
By Olatunji Saliu, Xinhua
Related stories: Rail projects in Nigeria drive home China's belt and road commitment to African infrastructure development
Video - Electric train linking mainland Lagos with island starts operations in Nigeria
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)