By Gabriel Ani
LAGOS, Nigeria (ChatnewsTV) — China’s imports from Nigeria surged 36.1% year-on-year to a record high of $15.1 billion (N25.7 trillion) between January and September 2024, according to Acting Consul General Jin Mingyu. The disclosure came during a civic reception for the first vessel on COSCO’s new shipping route to dock at Lekki Port.
“With 2024 cargo throughput exceeding 160,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) at Lekki Port, we are optimistic about seeing more unique Nigerian goods reaching China,” Mingyu said, underscoring the importance of the new shipping milestone to economic ties.
Mingyu attributed the growth in China-Nigeria trade to increased collaboration, highlighting China’s hopes for multinational enterprises to build an advanced port and logistics network in Nigeria. “We believe both countries can harness the opportunities globalization offers developing nations,” he added, stressing the mutual benefits of a shared logistics network and increased access to China’s market.
The arrival of EA Centaurus at Lekki Port represents a significant advancement for Nigerian trade infrastructure, with COSCO’s new route expected to inject “fresh momentum into Nigeria’s economic development,” Mingyu said. The landmark partnership between COSCO, a global shipping giant, and Lekki Port signals China and Nigeria’s deepening collaboration in port development and operation.
In 2023, bilateral trade between the two nations reached $22.56 billion, making Nigeria China’s third-largest trading partner in Africa, Mingyu noted.
Du Ruagang, Managing Director of Lekki Port, called the EA Centaurus’s berthing “a symbol of our dedication to positioning Lekki Port as a transformative force in the Nigerian maritime sector.” The port will now see bi-weekly calls from COSCO, ZIM, and ONE shipping lines, Ruagang confirmed.
Emmanuel Anda, Port Manager of Lekki Port, who represented Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director Abubakar Dantsoho, described the arrival as a “new dawn for Lekki Port.” He emphasized that this achievement positions Lekki Port as a major trade hub in West Africa, solidifying its strategic role in regional commerce.
