Nigerian Media: China-Africa Mutually Beneficial Cooperation Benefiting Tens of Thousands of Africans

2025-07-02 16:04:39 Article Source:Shobserver, Nigeria’s The Nation

The Article states that in the current complex and ever-changing international landscape, the comprehensive strategic partnership between Africa and China, particularly between Nigeria and China, stands as a powerful testament to their unwavering commitment to mutual respect and joint efforts in building a community with a shared future for mankind. Over the past few decades, the friendly exchanges between China and Africa have evolved into mutually beneficial cooperation, tangibly transforming the lives of millions across the African continent.

The Article specifically highlights that China-Africa cooperation has achieved particularly remarkable results in infrastructure construction, job creation and economic growth promotion. China's efforts to improve Africa's critical infrastructure far exceed those of other nations, having constructed nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads and over 10,000 kilometers of railways in Africa, connecting local communities, facilitating trade flows, and stimulating economic growth. In just the past three years, Chinese enterprises have created over 1.1 million jobs across Africa. These achievements highlight the significance of China's initiatives, transcending mere statistics to reflect tangible improvements in the lives of African people. In 2024, China-Africa trade volume reached a remarkable CNY 2.1 trillion, with a 6.1% year-on-year increase, grown over 24-fold since the inception of FOCAC.

The Article emphasizes that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Nigeria and China constitutes a vital component of the China-Africa partnership. Nigeria and China are jointly advancing infrastructure upgrades and fostering economic growth and cultural exchanges to lay the foundation for building a prosperous future for Nigeria. The bilateral cooperation is not only symbolic but has also yielded concrete and transformative impacts. Thanks to Chinese investments, Nigeria's infrastructure landscape has been fundamentally transformed, with milestone projects such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos International Airport Terminal and Lagos Blue Line Light Rail being completed. These not only improve local living conditions but also embody both nations' relentless pursuit of a shared vision for cooperation to promote a sustainable future. In addition, Nigeria-China economic and trade relations have also flourished. By the end of 2024, the People's Bank of China and the Central Bank of Nigeria renewed a bilateral local currency swap agreement worth CNY 15 billion. Such financial cooperation projects are crucial for Nigeria to achieve economic modernization. Agricultural products constitute a major field of bilateral trade cooperation. Nigerian specialties such as peanuts, sesame and cashews continue to expand their market share in China, benefiting local farmers and strengthening trade ties between the two countries. Moreover, the Nigeria-China friendship is deeply rooted in cultural resonance, with bilateral relations thriving on shared cultural bonds and mutual understanding, and people-to-people exchanges growing closer year by year.

Looking ahead, the Article suggests that the future of China and Africa is closely intertwined, and the relationship between Nigeria and China is poised to reach a new height. 2025 marks the inaugural year for putting in place the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The Summit agreed upon a series of key measures, with China continuing to support Africa’s efforts for industrialization and modernization. The Article cites the African proverb "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together," which was used by Chinese President Xi Jinping to emphasize the significance of unity and cooperation. It aptly encapsulates the essence of Nigeria-China relation — a partnership grounded in solidarity, mutual benefit and a shared vision for the future. The cooperation between Nigeria and China holds significant importance for realizing the grand vision of global modernization. As bilateral relations deepen, Nigeria and China are leading the way in ushering in a new era of African development, with the path to Africa's modernization becoming increasingly clear through their joint efforts. Through unity, determination and steadfast friendship, Nigeria and China are not only writing new chapters in their national development but also contributing to the broader international community and creating a progressive legacy for the world.