The President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, mni, OON, today led a delegation of over 200 Nigerian business representatives to the 138th Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China.
The delegation, drawn from Nigeria’s chambers of commerce, manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and export sectors, represents one of the country’s most significant trade missions to China in recent years.
Describing the significance of the event, Engr. Ibrahim noted that the Canton Fair is one of the world’s largest trade exhibitions, with over 30,000 exhibitors and more than 300,000 buyers from across the globe.
This year’s participation is particularly symbolic; while NACCIMA members have attended the fair over the years, this visit comes at a time when Nigeria-China collaboration is growing stronger. Nigerian entrepreneurs are increasingly seeking to connect directly with suppliers and manufacturers of machinery and equipment, and the presence of the NACCIMA President alongside the delegates underscores the organization’s support and solidarity.
Highlighting the broader economic importance, Dr. Ibrahim emphasized that the Nigeria-China relationship should evolve beyond a simple buyer-seller dynamic. This is about partnership and collaboration, a true win-win relationship. China, as the world’s most populous country, and Nigeria, one of the most populous in Africa, have much to learn from each other. Together, the two countries can build a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship.
The 138th Canton Fair, China’s largest and longest-running trade exhibition, features diverse sectors including consumer goods, industrial products, and advanced manufacturing. For Nigerian businesses, the fair is not only a marketplace but also a learning platform and a launchpad for innovation and global trade partnerships.