China dominates Nigeria’s imports with 39% market share

New data from the National Bureau of Statistics reveals that China accounted for 39.27% of Nigeria’s total imports in the first half of 2026, totaling N11.01 trillion. This represents a significant increase from China’s 29.03% share in the same period last year. Key imports from China included solar panels, telecommunications equipment, and heavy machinery. However, the trade relationship remains heavily imbalanced, with Nigeria exporting only N1.09 trillion to China, resulting in a N9.92 trillion trade deficit.

Alongside the rising trade volume, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised concerns regarding counterfeit products. Regulators report that Chinese-linked counterfeiters are operating within Nigeria, utilizing local logistics firms to distribute fake goods.

In a separate trend, Nigeria spent N3.30 trillion on food and beverage imports during the first half of 2026. While this is a slight 3.1% decrease from the N3.40 trillion spent in H1 2025, expenditure rose sharply in the second quarter. Processed food and beverage imports accounted for N1.72 trillion of this total, with a significant portion intended for household consumption.