China confirms that Nigeria is its largest engineering contracting market in Africa

Chinese officials recently highlighted Nigeria’s position within China’s long-term developmental and economic strategies, citing the country’s growing influence in infrastructure projects, investment, and bilateral trade.

During a seminar in the Chinese capital, Beijing, attended by prominent Nigerian government officials and media figures, Nigeria was touted as one of China’s major African partners.

It was also made known during the seminar that Nigeria now stands as one of China's premier market for engineering and construction on the African continent, boasting the title of the largest engineering contracting market in Africa.

“Nigeria is China’s largest engineering contracting market, second-largest export market, third-largest trading partner, and a major investment destination in Africa,” he stated.

Additionally, the West African country also stands as China’s second-largest export market and third-largest trading partner in Africa, according to the Deputy Director at the China International Communications Group, Li Hengtian.

As seen in the Punch newspaper, the Deputy Director began the session by stating that the goal of the seminar was to improve communication and collaboration between the two nations through media cooperation and people-centered storytelling.

“Stories are the highest form of human communication,” he said, quoting Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

“Today, in Beijing at the beginning of summer, we are here precisely for stories, to tell China’s stories, to listen to Nigeria’s stories, and even more so, to together write a new chapter of China-Nigeria friendship,” Li added.

Nigeria and China’s strategic ties

According to Li Hengtian, Deputy Director at the China International Communications Group, Nigeria also functions as China's second-largest export market and third-largest trading partner in Africa.

Invoking the words of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, he remarked that stories represent the highest form of human communication.

Li further stated that the gathering in Beijing served to facilitate the exchange of national narratives and to co-author a new chapter in the diplomatic friendship between China and Nigeria.

He described the two countries as civilizational allies, noting a diplomatic relationship that has been maintained since 1971.

“For over half a century, this friendship has been like the Niger River and the Yangtze River: though separated by vast oceans, they each flow ceaselessly, eventually merging into the great sea of a community with a shared future for mankind,” he said.

Furthermore, Li underscored Nigeria's strategic significance within China's broader objectives for economic expansion across Africa.

“From the Lagos Light Rail to the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, from the Lekki Deep Sea Port to the Zungeru Hydropower Station, monuments of China-Africa cooperation have risen one after another across the African continent,” he stated.

He remarked that this relationship contributes to a collective future for humanity.

Furthermore, Li emphasized Nigeria's strategic importance within China's broader economic expansion objectives in Africa.

The deputy director noted that several significant projects, including the Lagos Light Rail, the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, and the Zungeru Hydropower Station, serve as prominent examples of China-Africa cooperation across the continent.

He further asserted that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative are now significantly dependent upon the bilateral relations between China and Nigeria.

“In the grand narrative of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China-Nigeria cooperation has always been a highlight. More and more Nigerian youth are travelling east to pursue the starlight of knowledge in Chinese institutions; more and more Chinese builders are heading west to Nigeria to sow the seeds of development on its fertile soil,” he said.

“This year, the two countries are working together to build a China-Nigeria community with a shared future. I believe that with the joint efforts of China and Nigeria, mutually beneficial cooperation will progress steadily and yield more fruits on the African continent,” he added.

By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa

Related story: Zero tariffs policy between Nigeria and China to boost integration and industrialization

Nigeria, Chinese firm partner to build EV plants with 70,000-unit capacity

Nigeria is set to take a major step in electric vehicle manufacturing after Hybrid Motors Nigeria signed a partnership with a Chinese automotive firm to establish large-scale production facilities in Lagos and Abuja.

The agreement brings together Hybrid Motors Nigeria and Launch Design to jointly develop electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plants with a combined annual capacity of 70,000 units, Daily Trust reported.

The partnership will support the production of “Acely,” an indigenous automobile brand designed specifically for Nigerian roads and driving conditions. Both companies said the collaboration combines local market understanding with global engineering expertise to strengthen Nigeria’s automotive sector.

Chief Executive Officer Jubril Arogundade said the initiative marks a significant step toward building a strong domestic auto industry, adding that the goal is to produce vehicles that meet international standards while remaining tailored for local needs.

His counterpart at Launch Design, Wang Xun, said the partnership offers an opportunity to contribute to Africa’s growing automotive manufacturing landscape, highlighting the role of engineering capabilities in supporting the venture.

Under the agreement, the Lagos facility will serve as the main production and assembly hub with an annual capacity of 50,000 units. Located along the Lekki-Epe corridor, the plant is expected to benefit from proximity to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, supporting exports to markets including Ghana, Benin, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire.

The Abuja plant, with a capacity of 20,000 units annually, will function as a secondary production and technology centre, catering to northern Nigeria and neighbouring Sahel countries.

The companies said the dual-location strategy will help reduce logistics costs, improve operational efficiency and create jobs across different regions.

The “Acely” vehicles will focus on energy efficiency and advanced technologies suited to Nigeria’s terrain and climate, while supporting the gradual shift toward electric and hybrid mobility.

The project aligns with the Federal Government’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan, which aims to expand local vehicle production and attract investment into the sector.

Industry observers say the move could play a key role in advancing Nigeria’s clean mobility goals while strengthening its position in Africa’s automotive manufacturing space.

By Vivek Waghmode, BIO Energy Times

Related stories: Nigeria firm unveils Africa's largest EV charging hub

Video - Nigeria, China partner to build EV plants

After Squandering $25B In Refinery Overhauls, Nigeria Turns To Chinese Firms

After a series of failed and costly attempts to revamp its aging refineries, Nigeria’s national oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has signed a new agreement with Chinese firms to revive its moribund facilities. The NNPC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd for the completion, operation and maintenance of the Port Harcourt (210,000 bpd) and Warri (125,000 bpd) refineries under a Technical Equity Partnership model.

According to estimates by The Punch, Nigeria spent more than ?11 trillion (about $25 billion) between 2010 and 2023 on refinery rehabilitation projects, yet the facilities remain largely unreliable. The Port Harcourt refinery briefly restarted in late 2024 but was shut down again by May 2025 due to performance issues.

Nigeria has chosen to walk away from purely contractor-led repairs to a Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) model wherein partners share technical expertise and financial risk. TEP is a collaborative business model where a partner provides both specialized technical expertise and equity capital to a project or company, rather than just acting as a contractor or pure financier. This model is frequently used in large-scale industrial projects such as oil refinery rehabilitations or mining operations to ensure the partner has "skin in the game" regarding both the operational success and the financial performance of the venture.

However, industry analysts and energy experts in Nigeria have raised significant concerns regarding the technical expertise of the Chinese firms selected by the NNPC for rehabilitating the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, pointing out that neither has a known track record in large-scale refinery rehabilitation.

To wit, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited is a petrochemical firm primarily focused on ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol and surfactants rather than crude refining while Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park is focused on industrial park management, investment facilitation and infrastructure development. Both firms are private entities rather than major Chinese state-owned engineering firms with specialized refinery rehabilitation experience. Groups like the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and PENGASSAN have called for transparency or outright privatisation, arguing that decades of government-led "Turnaround Maintenance" (TAM) have failed to stop fuel scarcity.

Nevertheless, Nigeria’s energy sector is now being reshaped by new dynamics despite these setbacks.

The giant, 650,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) Dangote Refinery has fundamentally transformed Nigeria's energy landscape, shifting the nation from a massive importer of petroleum products to a net exporter. In March 2026, Nigeria officially became a net exporter of petrol, driven by the Dangote refinery's capacity to process roughly 565,000 bpd and generate a consistent surplus. The refinery produces around 57 million litres of petrol daily, exceeding the national consumption of approximately 46 million litres. This has helped the West African country to dramatically cut fuel imports, with daily petroleum imports dropping from over 42 million litres in December 2025 to just 3 million litres by February 2026. The Dangote refinery has started exporting petroleum products, managing to ship over 456,000 tonnes (12 cargoes) by March to various African countries, including Togo, Niger, Angola, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Despite the high production capacity, the Dangote refinery has faced challenges in sourcing sufficient local crude, necessitating the import of international oil, including from the US and Brazil with local producers only supplying ~30% of its needs. International oil companies (IOCs) like NNPC often prefer exporting crude due to higher profits, passing on excessive costs to the refinery through traders. Despite the Petroleum Industry Act aimed at ensuring local supply, legal, regulatory, and production issues in the Niger Delta have hindered the mandated supply to the refinery. Meanwhile, whereas the refinery has been able to reduce foreign exchange expenditure on fuel imports, it has yet to fully insulate the country from global oil price volatility, with domestic fuel prices still seeing increases as global oil prices surge. Indeed, Nigeria’s reliance on deregulated, imported fuel has led to domestic retail prices for gasoline surging by nearly 50%.

On the other hand, Nigeria’s economy is experiencing an "oil paradox" due to high global prices triggered by the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, generating significant government revenue windfalls while simultaneously driving up domestic fuel costs and inflation. Indeed, the war in Iran has acted as a catalyst for Nigeria’s oil sector, creating a significant revenue windfall of an estimated N5.13 trillion, or nearly $4 billion, in March and April due to surging crude prices, significantly increasing Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings.

Nigeria’s signature Bonny Light crude was trading at ~$110/barrel on Monday, more than 50% above the 2025 average price. Produced in the Niger Delta basin, Bonny Light crude is a high-grade, premium Nigerian crude oil, prized for being light and sweet, with low API gravity and very low sulfur content. The crude grade is used to produce high yields of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

By Alex Kimani, oilprice.com

Zero tariffs policy between Nigeria and China to boost integration and industrialization

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Nigeria opens negotiation for $5.7bn Chinese investment across power and mining

 

Nigeria is stepping up efforts to secure up to $5.7bn in Chinese investment to strengthen its power, mining, and manufacturing sectors, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Finance Minister Wale Edun held talks in Abuja with a high-level delegation from GCL Group, led by former Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu, as the government seeks fresh foreign direct investment to support economic reforms.

Officials said the proposed $5.7bn package would target large-scale energy generation, local mineral processing, and new industrial facilities designed to expand employment and export capacity.

“The proposals include large-scale energy generation, local mineral processing and new factories aimed at boosting jobs, exports and value addition,” the ministry said in a statement.

The discussions form part of a broader strategy by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rebuild productive capacity and shift Africa’s largest economy away from dependence on raw commodity exports.

According to the ministry, the engagement reflects “rising investor confidence” in Nigeria’s reform trajectory, particularly policies aimed at improving energy security, deepening industrial output, and sustaining long-term growth.

While detailed project timelines were not disclosed, the government framed the talks as consistent with its push to attract targeted capital into sectors with strong multiplier effects.

For global investors, the potential deal signals Beijing’s continued commercial interest in Nigeria’s industrial expansion, even as Abuja works to reposition itself as a manufacturing and processing hub within Africa’s rapidly evolving economic landscape.

By Segun Adeyemi, Business Insider Africa

Relates story: US Bill targets illegal Chinese mining in Nigeria

US Bill targets illegal Chinese mining in Nigeria

A new bill in the United States House of Representatives seeks to have the US Secretary of State collaborate with Nigeria to counter what lawmakers describe as the destabilizing impact of illegal Chinese mining operations in the country.

The “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026” was introduced on Tuesday by five Republican lawmakers: Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga. The sponsors allege that some Chinese mining companies operating in Nigeria have been paying protection money to Fulani militias, fueling local violence and insecurity.

Under the proposed legislation, the Secretary of State would provide technical support to Nigeria aimed at reducing and ultimately eliminating militia-related violence, including through disarmament programs and comprehensive counter-terrorism cooperation. The bill also calls for coordination with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the UK to advance religious freedom and peace.

Clauses 10 and 11 of the bill specifically direct:

“The Secretary of State should work with the Government of Nigeria to counteract the hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations and their destabilizing practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias.”

The legislation also tasks the Secretary of State with determining whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias qualify as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

The bill references a 2023 report by The Times, which alleged that Chinese nationals in Nigeria’s mining sector were indirectly funding militant groups in the northwest to secure access to mineral resources. According to the report, some miners in Zamfara acted as runners for militant groups, raising concerns that “Beijing could be indirectly funding terror in Africa’s largest economy.”

If passed, the bill would represent a significant US intervention in Nigeria’s mineral sector and security landscape, linking foreign mining operations to militia activity and underscoring broader concerns about regional stability, counter-terrorism, and governance.

By David Meshioye, The Guardian

Related story: Nigeria attracts $1.3bn Chinese lithium investment amid push for clean energy value chains

Nigeria turns to China to help fix its broken refineries

Nigeria's state-owned oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), recently revealed its plans to partner with a Chinese company to rehabilitate its dilapidated oil refineries.

This new development was disclosed by the NNPC’s chief, Bayo Ojulari, who also relayed that the group has established a plan to invite refinery operators with proven experience rather than contractors.

"I'm just coming from a meeting with one of the potential investors," Ojulari said, without giving a name.

"They are going to the refinery tomorrow to inspect. It's a Chinese company that has one of the biggest petrochemical plants in China."

The NNPC head stated that operations in the refineries had been put on hold to give time to evaluate potential restoration solutions.

This coincided with the opening of the Dangote Refinery, which provided "breathing space" for the supply of domestic petroleum, as seen on Reuters.

According to him, NNPC would give partners a share of its equity rather than selling the refineries so that the facilities could finance themselves.

In November, however, Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, disclosed that the West African country was open to the idea of selling the refineries.

Selling them is now “one of the options” under consideration, Olu Verheijen stated.

Debacle with Nigeria’s state-owned oil refineries

For the past two years, the energy group has unsuccessfully attempted to fully reactivate three of its primary oil refineries in Warri, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt.

These endeavors to restore the facilities to operational status have resulted in both public controversy and shifts in strategic direction.

The government initially sought to rehabilitate these refineries, primarily in response to the commissioning of Dangote's 650,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery; however, this effort proved unsuccessful, necessitating an exploration of potential public-private partnerships.

Subsequently, in October 2025, the NNPC announced its search for new technical private equity partners to facilitate the revival of its long-dormant refineries.

The company’s three refineries have a combined processing capacity of 445,000 barrels per day but have remained idle for decades, forcing the country to rely almost entirely on imported fuel, and much more recently, on the Dangote refinery.

This was despite heavy investments to modernize the three oil refineries.



Nigeria’s oil refinery scandal

In May 2025, reports indicated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria's corruption watchdog, had launched a full-scale investigation into a $2.9 billion refinery rehabilitation fund fraud, revealing almost ₦80 billion in accounts related to the Managing Director of one of the refineries, who at the time was just laid off.

Several NNPCL executives, including former GCEO Mele Kyari, have since then been monitored very closely.

The agency requested that NNPCL furnish certified copies of the listed officers' emoluments and allowances, including retirees.

Theyalso requested confirmation of the names of 13 former top officials, including Abubakar Yar'Adua, Isiaka Abdulrazak, Umar Ajiya, Dikko Ahmed, Ademoye Jelili, Mustapha Sugungun, Kayode Adetokunbo, Efiok Akpan, Babatunde Bakare, Jimoh Olasunkanmi, Bello Kankaya, and Desmond Inyama.

Nigeria's engagement with Chinese collaborators underscores the necessity of addressing its persistent refinery challenges as the nation seeks to achieve enhanced self-sufficiency in fuel.

While the Dangote Refinery has alleviated immediate supply constraints, the future of Nigeria's state-owned refineries remains uncertain, with options ranging from equity partnerships to outright divestment remaining on the table.

By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa

Related story: Nigeria emerges top Belt and Road beneficiary with China-backed $24.6bn GRIP megaproject

Nigeria emerges top Belt and Road beneficiary with China-backed $24.6bn GRIP megaproject

Nigeria has emerged as the largest single beneficiary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2025 following an estimated $24.6 billion construction commitment linked to the Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP) in Delta State, marking one of the biggest China-backed infrastructure deals in Africa this year.

GRIP is a flagship gas-based industrialisation project designed to transform Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves into higher-value products, including petrochemicals, fertilisers, methanol and refined fuels.

The industrial park is expected to anchor multiple downstream industries, supported by new gas processing plants, pipelines, power infrastructure and export facilities, much of which is being delivered by Chinese engineering and construction firms under the BRI framework.

According to Christoph Nedopil Wang, a China energy and finance expert at Griffith University, this deal highlights a broader trend in Beijing’s BRI strategy, which increasingly focuses on fewer but high-value projects tied to energy and industrial infrastructure.

Nedopil notes that Nigeria’s GRIP-related contracts alone accounted for roughly $20 billion of China’s 2025 construction activity in Africa, making the country the continent’s largest BRI construction recipient and a strategic hub for China’s long-term energy engagement.

The scale of the deal places Nigeria at the centre of China’s recalibrated Africa strategy, which is shifting away from smaller, dispersed projects toward fewer, capital-intensive investments tied to energy security and long-term industrial value.

With Africa’s largest gas reserves and a large domestic market, Nigeria offers Beijing both commercial viability and strategic depth in West Africa.

Terror challenges mar early development

Despite its strong fundamentals, GRIP’s early development was stalled by serious security challenges.

Long-standing tensions between the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities resurfaced, leading to violent rivalries and the emergence of armed groups around the project site in 2018.

During the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, threats and alleged financial demands of about $30 million reportedly forced authorities to delay the project’s groundbreaking, severely undermining investor confidence.

Saudi-linked investors who had shown interest in the project are reported to have withdrawn, citing concerns over security and the influence of non-state actors.

As a result, Ogidigben fell dormant for years, becoming a cautionary example of how insecurity in the Niger Delta can derail large-scale energy investments, despite their national economic importance.

Why GRIP matters for Nigeria and China

For Nigeria, GRIP represents a critical pillar of its long-term plan to reduce dependence on crude oil exports, curb gas flaring and build a competitive gas-driven manufacturing base. The project is expected to generate thousands of jobs, stimulate industrial growth in the Niger Delta and boost export revenues once operational.

For China, backing GRIP strengthens access to a major gas-producing economy while reinforcing its economic footprint in a region where competition with Western and Gulf partners is intensifying. It also reflects Beijing’s growing preference for projects with clear revenue potential rather than sovereign-funded public works.

However, the scale of Chinese involvement is likely to revive debates around debt sustainability, transparency and local content.

Nigerian authorities face pressure to ensure the GRIP investment delivers long-term economic value, technology transfer and inclusive growth, rather than adding to fiscal strain.

If successfully executed, GRIP could redefine Nigeria’s industrial landscape and stand as one of the most consequential Belt and Road projects on the African continent.

By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa

Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership Pushes For Stronger Cooperation In Energy Development

The director-general of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has called for stronger cooperation between Nigeria and China in the coming year.

Tegbe, in his new year message, extended warm Christmas and New Year greetings to Christians in Nigeria and China as they celebrate the yuletide season.

He reaffirmed that the NCSP remains committed to translating Nigeria–China cooperation into tangible economic gains through strategic investments in agriculture, automotive manufacturing, mining, steel, and energy, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In the message, Tegbe described Christmas as a season that embodies the enduring values of love, peace, sacrifice, and unity, principles he noted remain fundamental to fostering harmony within societies and strengthening international partnerships.

He urged Christians of Nigerian and Chinese descent to draw inspiration from the birth and life of Jesus Christ, as enshrined in the Holy Scriptures, and to continue to uphold these values in promoting peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and shared progress.

Looking ahead to 2026, Tegbe expressed optimism that the coming year holds immense potential for deepening cooperation and advancing the broader objectives of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Nigeria and China, particularly as both countries continue to strengthen economic ties.

By Chika Izuora, Leadership

Related story: Nigeria attracts $1.3bn Chinese lithium investment amid push for clean energy value chains

China opposes Trump’s threat against Nigeria, declares support for Nigerian Government

China has officially declared its opposition to US threats of sanctions or military actions against Nigeria over allegations of mass slaughter of Christians.

The Chinese government made its position known on Tuesday when Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed a press conference in Beijing.

“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on the development path suited to its national conditions. China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force,” Ms Ning said, according to the transcript of the interview posted on the Chinese government’s website.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the threat by US President Donald Trump to either sanction Nigeria or use military action if the Nigerian government does not stop what US officials claim is a genocide against Nigerian Christians.

Mr Trump also designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and claimed that Christianity faces an existential threat in Nigeria, as radical Islamic groups were killing thousands of Christians.

This comes after weeks of campaigns and demands by some US lawmakers for the country to sanction Nigeria for allowing the “persecution of Christians.”

The officials had falsely accused the Nigerian government of facilitating an anti-Christian crusade in an attempt to rid the country of Christians.

The Nigerian government has, however, repeatedly denied the claims.

In a statement issued on Saturday, President Bola Tinubu rejected the assertion of an existential threat to the Nigerian Christian faith, noting that the country strictly upholds the constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.

He stated that the portrayals of Nigeria as facilitating Christian genocide “do not reflect our national reality.”

He emphasised that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”

Similarly, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that Nigeria is committed to tackling the violent extremism “fueled by special interests who have helped drive such decay and division in countries across the intersecting West African and Sahel regions.”

“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” it said.

By Beloved John, Premium Times

Related story: Nigeria pushes back on Trump’s claims over Christian killings

Nigeria attracts $1.3bn Chinese lithium investment amid push for clean energy value chains

Speaking at the 2025 China Mining Conference in Tianjin, themed “Connect and Collaborate, Co-Build and Co-Share”, Alake praised the growing partnership between Nigeria and China, highlighting how the new wave of investments is helping to reshape the continent’s mineral economy.

“Since September 2023, when this administration assumed office, Chinese companies such as Canmax Technology, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria Company, and Asba have invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing,” Alake stated in a press briefing released by his media aide, Segun Tomori.

According to the minister, these investments are reducing Nigeria’s dependence on oil, driving economic diversification, and fostering technology transfer and skills development among Nigerian engineers.

“Joint ventures between Chinese and Nigerian companies enhance local capabilities and create new technical jobs for our people,” he added.

Building a continental mining renaissance

Alake, who also serves as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), stressed that Africa must collaborate to establish unified standards and knowledge systems that enable the continent to benefit from its rich mineral deposits fully.

He disclosed that Nigeria has undertaken sweeping reforms to attract investors, including the creation of Mining Marshals and a satellite monitoring system to combat illegal mining and protect licensed operators.

The minister also cited the introduction of technology-based tools such as the Electronic Mining Cadastre (eMC+) and the Nigerian Mineral Resources Decision System (NMRDS), which streamline licensing and mineral data management.

Africa’s green value chain vision

Alake reaffirmed that Nigeria’s goal extends beyond mineral extraction. “Our vision is not only to extract minerals but to build a globally competitive value chain that supports clean energy transition, job creation, and industrial growth—all within the framework of responsible mining,” he said.

He further invited investors and partners to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s lithium, gold, lead-zinc, barite, and rare earth sectors, promising a conducive business climate and incentives for shared prosperity.

With over $1.3 billion already flowing into its lithium ecosystem, Nigeria is emerging as one of Africa’s new frontiers for green mineral investment, signaling a broader continental shift toward resource-based industrialization and sustainable growth.

By Segun Adeyemi, Business Insider Africa

Nigeria turns to China for a new $2 billion loan to rebuild ailing power grid

After decades of unreliable electricity and frequent blackouts, Nigeria is seeking a $2 billion lifeline to rebuild its ailing power grid and restore confidence in its industrial energy supply.

Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, confirmed the development during an economic summit in Abuja, noting that the new grid will connect Nigeria’s eastern and western regions, where a significant proportion of industrial activities are concentrated.

“It is part of the government’s plan to decentralise power generation and encourage large-scale commercial users, who exited the national grid due to its unreliability, to return,” Adelabu stated.

A Persistent Power Deficit

Nigeria’s energy crisis remains one of the most pressing constraints on its economic growth. Despite an installed generation capacity of about 13 gigawatts, the national grid delivers barely 4 gigawatts to more than 200 million citizens.

Frequent blackouts and outdated infrastructure have pushed many factories, businesses, and households to rely on self-generated power from diesel and gas generators.

The resulting operational costs have constrained productivity, raised inflationary pressures, and diminished competitiveness in the manufacturing sector.

By contrast, South Africa, with about a quarter of Nigeria’s population, has an installed generation capacity of roughly 70 gigawatts, underscoring the vast energy gap that continues to constrain Nigeria’s industrial competitiveness.

However, the proposed super grid is expected to enhance transmission efficiency, improve reliability, and ensure greater power delivery to key industrial zones. Minister Adelabu confirmed that the Federal Executive Council has already approved the project’s financing framework.

Expanding China’s Energy Footprint in Africa

The $2 billion super grid loan forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader economic and energy reform strategy designed to attract foreign investment and reposition Nigeria as a key player in Africa’s power market.

It also reinforces China’s growing role in financing major infrastructure projects across the continent.

Beyond the EximBank talks, Nigeria has secured $1.1 billion from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to expand electricity access, $70 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for mini-grid development, and $328.8 million from Chinese firm CMEC to upgrade transmission infrastructure.

In October 2023, the government also signed a $2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three Chinese firms to invest in power generation and digital economy projects. In addition, Nigeria and China renewed a $2 billion currency-swap agreement in late 2024 to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties.

Adelabu’s team confirmed to Bloomberg that discussions with China’s EximBank are ongoing and “progressing positively.”

Tariff Reforms and Financial Stability

The minister further revealed that recent tariff adjustments for urban consumers have improved the financial sustainability of the electricity sector. Industry revenues increased by 70 percent in 2024 and are projected to rise by a further 41 percent this year, reaching ₦2.4 trillion ($1.6 billion).

“These changes will enable power firms to reinvest in infrastructure, expand access, and improve reliability,” Adelabu said.

The tariff reforms, though controversial, are part of the government’s effort to create a cost-reflective pricing system capable of attracting long-term investment.


Powering Africa’s Industrial Ambitions

The “super grid” initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s wider economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, overhaul of tax laws, and improved security in oil-producing regions to boost crude output.

Since assuming office in 2023, Tinubu has placed energy reform at the heart of his administration’s agenda for industrialisation and job creation.

Despite ongoing interventions, Nigeria’s national grid continues to suffer from instability. Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) show multiple partial and total collapses in 2024, including two nationwide blackouts.

Adelabu said the proposed super grid would deploy advanced transmission technology to increase capacity and reduce system failures.


Toward a Regional Power Hub

Nigeria’s energy reform efforts have continental implications. The development of a super grid could not only stabilise domestic supply but also enable the country to export power to neighbouring states through the West African Power Pool (WAPP) framework, advancing regional energy integration.

By Olamilekan Okebiorun, Business Insider Africa

Related story: Chinese firms launch solar project to light up Nigerian capital city

Nigeria adds Chinese language courses to high school curriculum

Nigeria has officially added Mandarin, the standard Chinese language, to its senior secondary school curriculum in a nationwide policy decision, aiming to strengthen bilateral educational and cultural exchanges and prepare its youth for a globalized future, a local official said.

The decision by Nigerian educational authorities to teach Mandarin was a direct outcome of a recent curriculum review, Mandate Secretary for Education in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Danlami Hayyo said on Wednesday at the commissioning of a new "Chinese Corner" at the Government Secondary School in Nyanya, one of the two "Chinese Corners" introduced this week in the local secondary schools.

"In the recent review of our curriculum, the Chinese language was selected as one of the international languages to be taught in our senior secondary schools," Hayyo said, adding that this demonstrates the FCT's foresight in introducing the subject.

Mandarin will join Arabic and French as an optional foreign language course in Nigerian public senior secondary schools.

According to Mohammed Sani Ladan, director of the FCT Secondary Education Board, the 15 "Chinese Corners" established since 2013 in Nigerian schools have been far more than just physical spaces. "They are symbols of friendship and cooperation," he said, noting that they also provide opportunities for students and teachers to learn Mandarin, access scholarships, and prepare for global engagement.

In separate interviews with Xinhua, school officials and students expressed appreciation for the initiative, emphasizing the immense opportunities the "Chinese Corners" would unlock, from teacher training to international scholarships.

Mojisola Akerele, principal of the Government Secondary School in Tudun Wada, told Xinhua that the new learning centers would enable students to acquaint themselves with the Chinese language through donated books and resources.

Speaking at the commissioning events, Yang Jianxing, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, described the "Chinese Corners" as a "bridge narrowing the hearts of young people from the two countries." He said that learning the Chinese language offers possibilities for Nigerian youth, from participating in economic and trade exchanges to furthering studies in Chinese universities.

Xinhua

Video - Nigeria's minister of art, culture, tourism, and the creative economy speaks on creative exchanges

China's Chengdu rolled out the red carpet for the second Golden Panda Awards from September 12 to 13. The film event bodes well for cross-border cultural ties through direct creative exchanges in fashion, animation, film and music, said Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria's minister of art, culture, tourism and the creative economy. CGTN's Tian Wei had a one-on-one conversation with her on the sidelines of the Golden Panda Cultural Forum. The minister added that creative exchanges enable countries to tell their own stories in ways that resonate across Global South nations.

CGTN Africa

Nigeria Moves to Build Solar Manufacturing Industry, But Reliance on China is Inevitable

Nigeria imported Chinese solar panels last year with a combined capacity of 1,721 megawatts (MW)- enough to power roughly half a million homes.

The country now ranks as Africa’s second-largest importer, trailing only South Africa and ahead of Morocco and Algeria.

In the long run, however, the outlook may shift despite the Nigerian government’s decision earlier this year to step back from a proposed ban on solar panel imports. The halt was intended to give time to refine the policy, emphasizing joint ventures, tariff adjustments, and capacity building as tools to support local industry rather than imposing an abrupt ban.

The international consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers advised the Nigerian government to implement a gradual phase-down of imports over three to five years, a move it says would give domestic manufacturers the space to scale production, meet demand, and put in place strong quality control systems.

And now, some Nigerian and Chinese companies are moving to establish local solar panel manufacturing, a strategy aimed at addressing some of the issues related to expanding energy access and creating jobs.

Tranos, a Nigerian energy firm, broke ground over the summer on an 800-MW solar panel factory, one of the largest in West Africa. The plant is expected to initially employ 160 people, with the workforce projected to grow to 400 within two years.

In a similar push, China’s Hunan Red Sun, working with Nigeria’s IRS Group, plans to build a 600-MW solar panel plant in Kano State that will produce components, supply equipment, and develop power stations.

And since 2023, the Nigerian government has partnered with China Great Wall Industry Corporation to establish a solar cell production facility in Gora, a region rich in silicon and silica, the key raw materials for solar cell manufacturing.

This marks not only a key step in Nigeria’s efforts to localize the production of renewable energy equipment but also progress in moving up the manufacturing value chain.

However, the reality is that the solar panel manufacturing business requires substantial quantities of water, energy, and skilled labor. The Chinese companies have perfected the solar panel value chain and heavily automated the processes.

This means that since most solar panel building operations are concentrated in China, local manufacturing will still be heavily dependent on Chinese entities and will be difficult to localize in Nigeria.

Nicola Licata, a Shanghai-based environmental social governance (ESG) project manager, notes, “Logistics will be an issue for all of these African countries because supply chains for upstream wafer, ingot, poly, MGS, and quartz are still anchored in China to a huge degree.”

While Nigeria may have some of the skilled labor needed for solar manufacturing, it lacks a reliable and accessible water supply needed for large-scale manufacturing due to poor management and inadequate infrastructure.

In addition, as Nigeria builds new factories, Chinese companies are also looking to set up manufacturing operations outside China. Their goals include cutting transportation and labor costs and sidestepping U.S. sanctions — potentially creating additional competition for local firms.

Despite all the advantages local manufacturing has, Licata notes, “Overall, I’d say African manufacturing will be limited to downstream module for a long time because it’s being used to avoid tariffs for finished product exports and definitely because of the energy and water resources issue.”

“Chinese manufacturers’ interest in using African nations as a non-China or non-Southeast Asia location is meant to avoid tariffs,” she added. “But also has the potential to evaporate given whichever way Trump and the EU go,” said Licata.

However, for Tobi Oshodi, a lecturer at Lagos State University, producing locally is preferable to importing everything because it creates more employment and improves local skill development.

“And if you like, in an increasingly complicated world, it gives you some level of independence. What gives you the impression is that China is thinking of having a system that would be more reliant on the Chinese economy itself than on the outside world and things like that… So if that is the ultimate goal, what happens if there is a Chinese Donald Trump, for example, that just wants to cut off and isolate itself from the continent?”

“And in an increasingly complicated world, this gives you a degree of independence. It suggests that China is aiming to build a system more reliant on its own economy than on the outside world. If that is indeed the ultimate goal, what happens if one day there is a ‘Chinese Donald Trump’, a leader who chooses to cut off ties and isolate China from the continent?”

In such a scenario, Oshodi says that only countries that have built some of this local capacity that the policy envisions will survive.

With more companies setting up, he also advocates for Chinese companies to invest more locally, “so that you can get more profit than your counterparts in China that really want to continue importing.”As local manufacturing begins to take shape, more than one-third of Nigerians still lack access to electricity. Frequent grid collapses make power supply unreliable, which in turn makes both solar panel manufacturing and imports appealing alternatives.

By Njenga Hakeenah, China Global South Project

Nigeria Extradites Chinese Gang Leader in Landmark Interpol Operation

Nigeria has extradited Chinese gang leader Dai Qisheng to Beijing following a coordinated operation with Interpol, marking a significant step in international law enforcement cooperation.

Dai, wanted in China for orchestrating violent organized crimes in Guizhou Province, fled the country in 2024. He was apprehended in Abuja on August 8, 2025, by operatives from Nigeria’s National Central Bureau, in collaboration with Chinese authorities. The extradition was finalized on August 15 under a police-to-police cooperation framework facilitated by Interpol.

Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun commended the operation, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to combating transnational crime. “This operation sends a clear message to criminals worldwide: Nigeria will not be a safe haven for fugitives,” he said.

The successful extradition highlights the growing international collaboration in addressing transnational crime and underscores Nigeria’s role in global law enforcement efforts. It also demonstrates adherence to international legal standards throughout the process.

This development follows recent measures by Nigerian authorities to tackle organized crime, including the deportation of 50 Chinese nationals convicted of cybercrime and internet fraud. These actions reflect Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to strengthening partnerships with international law enforcement agencies.

The extradition of Dai Qisheng is being viewed as a testament to the effectiveness of global cooperation in tackling criminal networks and reinforces Nigeria’s position as a proactive partner in international justice initiatives.

Fana Media

Video - Chinese consulate screens war-era documentary in Lagos to mark 80th anniversary

Nigeria has marked the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The Chinese Consulate in Lagos, in collaboration with the West Africa Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, screened a documentary film in Lagos. Titled 'The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru', the film recounts the tragic incident as well as the heroics of Chinese fishermen, who risked everything to save lives.

CGTN Africa

Nigeria’s China-funded bullet train plans move forward

Nigeria’s $60 billion bullet train project moved a step closer to approval. The 4,000km high-speed rail network has been a decade in the making: Billed as a key project to connect Nigeria’s western and eastern corridors from Lagos to Port Harcourt, the construction will be led by De-Sadel Nigeria, an Abuja-based logistics firm, with China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings as the lead financier, according to the Nigerian government.

Both companies made a formal presentation of a $60 billion proof-of-funds for the project this week, the government said. De-Sadel, which is also involved in a proposal to convert some of Nigeria’s diesel-powered trains to run on liquefied and compressed natural gas, plans to open completed sections of the rail line in three years. Nigeria’s junior petroleum resources minister pledged to supply gas to the contractor for the project.

By Alexander Onukwue, SEMAFOR