Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership has advised Chinese investors interested in investing and exploring business opportunities in Nigeria to prioritise local production as part of efforts to foster industrialisation and economic growth.

The NCSP Director-General, Joseph Tegbe, gave the advice in Abuja when he hosted a 35-member delegation of Chinese business leadership, led by Jason Zhu.

Mr Tegbe said that Nigeria sought to move beyond merely exporting raw commodities, particularly from China.

“Instead, the focus is on upgrading exports to value-added products,” he said

The NCSP director-general encouraged the delegation to bring advanced technology and manufacturing capabilities to support the goal, which, he said, aligned with Nigeria’s industrialisation aspirations.

He emphasised Nigeria’s potential as Africa’s largest economy and gateway to continental business opportunities.

Mr Tegbe also highlighted Nigeria’s vibrant market, supported by strategic location and government reforms aimed at enhancing investors’ confidence.

He said, “Nigeria offers a dynamic and increasingly attractive business environment, marked by significant growth and abundant opportunities for investments. As the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria significantly contributes to the continent’s GDP, boasting of a vibrant and resilient market. It has a business climate that benefits from a large and youthful population, a strategic geographic location and a government dedicated to implementing reforms that enhance economic stability and investor confidence.’’

Mr Tegbe also listed the policies and programmes which investors could key into, including investments in free trade zones to boost exports from Nigeria.

He noted that the event, marking another significant step in deepening Nigeria-China business relationship, was expected to foster mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), represented by Victoria Aigbedion, outlined the entry protocols for the investors to register their businesses and the incentives they could take advantage of.

Mrs Aigbedion expressed NIPC’s commitment to making the process timely and hitch-free.

In his remarks, Leader of the delegation, Mr Zhu, highlighted areas of desired investments in Nigeria, leveraging China’s industrial and technological advancements.

The delegation’s visit was facilitated by Pan-African Expansion Industrial Nigeria Limited, comprising companies with interests in science and technology, mining, construction, real estate, healthcare, tourism and e-commerce.

NCSP was established to drive Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation through targeted Chinese investments, aligning with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

(NAN)