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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Nigeria targets China’s 1.4bn market with zero-tariff fish exports

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Nigeria aims to boost fish exports to China, leveraging a newly signed aquatic products agreement that grants zero-tariff access to China's 1.4 billion-consumer market.
  • The agreement, finalized after nearly five years of negotiations, is expected to increase export volumes, foreign exchange earnings, and business opportunities for Nigerian companies.
  • The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, urged swift implementation and called on Nigerian exporters to capitalize on this significant market access.

Nigeria is strategically positioning itself to significantly expand its fish exports to China, capitalizing on a recently concluded aquatic products agreement. This landmark deal grants eligible Nigerian aquatic products zero-tariff access to China's vast market of 1.4 billion consumers, presenting a substantial opportunity for growth.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called for swift implementation of the Nigeria-China Aquatic Products Protocol, urging that the landmark agreement be translated into higher exports, foreign exchange earnings and stronger opportunities for Nigerian businesses.

— Adeola LabzyMinister's media aide, summarizing Minister Tegbe's call for action following the agreement's signing.

The agreement, which comes after nearly five years of intensive negotiations, is anticipated to drive a notable increase in export volumes, bolster foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria, and create enhanced opportunities for Nigerian businesses in the aquatic sector. The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has emphasized the need for the swift and effective implementation of the Nigeria-China Aquatic Products Protocol.

During a reception following the signing ceremony, Minister Tegbe urged for the protocol to be translated into tangible outcomes, such as higher exports and increased foreign exchange. He also highlighted the potential for this agreement to accelerate other initiatives, including the broader Zero Tariff Agreement for African countries. The Minister encouraged Nigerian exporters to act decisively to seize this considerable market access.

The Protocol, concluded after nearly five years of negotiation, grants eligible Nigerian aquatic products zero-tariff access to China’s 1.4-billion-consumer market.

— Adeola LabzyMinister's media aide, detailing the key benefit of the newly signed protocol.

Ambassador Yu Dunhai of China reaffirmed the Embassy's commitment to supporting the protocol's implementation and facilitating qualified Nigerian exports. He noted that the trade volume between Nigeria and China reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, a significant increase from the $28 billion recorded for the entire year of 2025, underscoring the growing economic ties between the two nations.

The landmark agreement must be translated into higher exports, foreign exchange earnings and stronger opportunities for Nigerian businesses.

— Joseph TegbeMinister of Power, emphasizing the economic impact expected from the Nigeria-China Aquatic Products Protocol.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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