China And Nigeria Sign Protocol On Wild Aquatic Products Exports, Unlocking Zero-Tariff Access To 1.4 Billion Consumers

Abuja, August 13, 2026 – In a landmark development for the global seafood trade, China and Nigeria signed the Protocol on Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Wild Aquatic Products Exported from Nigeria to China on August 13, 2026, in Abuja. The agreement, concluded after nearly five years of intensive negotiations, grants eligible Nigerian aquatic products zero-tariff access to China's vast consumer market of approximately 1.4 billion people.

The protocol was signed by Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai and Dr. Vincent Isegbe, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja. The signing ceremony brought together key government officials, representatives of the Chinese government, the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership Office, stakeholders in the fisheries and aquatic products value chain, and development partners. The agreement was reviewed and cleared by Nigerian experts from NAQS and international law specialists from the Ministry of Justice to ensure its provisions complied with Nigeria's legal framework and protected the country's national interests.

A Milestone in China-Africa Trade Relations

Ambassador Yu Dunhai described the signing as "an important institutional arrangement for implementing China's zero-tariff policy for the 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations". He emphasized that the protocol provides a clear basis for the inspection and quarantine of Nigerian wild aquatic products exported to China, and will help further expand agricultural trade between the two nations, promote the development of Nigeria's fisheries sector, and increase its foreign exchange earnings through exports. It will also inject new impetus into the deepening of China-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation.

The zero-tariff policy, which took effect on May 1, 2026, covers all tariff lines and is designed to expand African access to the Chinese market. Ambassador Yu noted that the protocol would bring "greater opportunities and tangible benefits to our two peoples".

Nigeria's Fisheries Sector Poised for Transformation

Dr. Vincent Isegbe, Comptroller-General of NAQS, described the agreement as a "historic breakthrough" and a reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to expand Nigeria's non-oil exports and strengthen international trade relations. He noted that the protocol was the result of more than four years of sustained technical engagements aimed at securing market access for Nigerian wild aquatic products in China, one of the world's largest aquatic markets.

The protocol provides a structured framework for the inspection, certification, and export of eligible Nigerian wild aquatic products to China, while ensuring compliance with the country's quarantine and sanitary requirements. Isegbe reaffirmed NAQS's commitment to compliance support for exporters and flagged potential for similar market-access deals in other agricultural and fishery products.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mrs. Janet S. Awanen, Director of the Department of International and Comparative Law at Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Justice, said the protocol would contribute to economic growth, promote value addition, create employment opportunities, and increase Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Nigerian Officials Call for Swift Implementation

Nigerian Power Minister Joseph Tegbe, who doubles as Director-General of the Nigeria–China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, has called for swift implementation of the protocol. Following his meeting with Ambassador Yu, Tegbe stated on social media: "With eligible Nigerian aquatic products now gaining zero-tariff access to China's 1.4 billion-consumer market, the opportunity is clear: we must move quickly and seize it. This is what strategic partnerships should deliver - markets, investment and prosperity for Nigerians".

Tegbe urged that the landmark agreement be translated into higher exports, increased foreign exchange earnings, and stronger opportunities for Nigerian businesses. "Swift implementation is critical," he said, adding that "this agreement must translate into more Nigerian products on Chinese shelves, more dollars into our economy, and more jobs for our people".

In response, Ambassador Yu reaffirmed the Embassy's commitment to supporting implementation and facilitating qualified Nigerian exports into the Chinese market.

Trade Momentum Between China and Nigeria

The protocol comes as trade between China and Nigeria is expanding at a remarkable pace. Bilateral trade reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, up 35% year-on-year. Chinese imports from Nigeria rose 80% to $2.3 billion during the same period, according to Ambassador Yu. The $18 billion figure for the first six months of 2026 already represents approximately 64% of the $28 billion recorded for the entire year of 2025.

Addressing a seminar on China's zero-tariff policy and Africa's economic structural transformation on August 14, Ambassador Yu highlighted that in the first half of 2026, China-Africa trade exceeded $207.4 billion, reaching a record high for the same period. From May to June alone, China's imports from Africa reached $28.5 billion, up 23.5% year-on-year, with aquatic products, textile raw materials, and specialty fruits all achieving double-digit growth. Nigeria has been a standout performer - in the first half of 2026, bilateral trade between China and Nigeria reached $17.4 billion, up 35% year-on-year, while Chinese imports from Nigeria surged 81% to $2.25 billion.

Implications for the Global Seafood Industry

For seafood traders and industry observers, this protocol represents a significant new supply channel entering the world's largest consumer market. The economic opportunity extends beyond simply selling more fish - the agreement could stimulate investment in processing plants, cold-chain infrastructure, packaging, certification, and logistics, enabling Nigerian exporters to retain more value within Nigeria rather than relying primarily on the shipment of unprocessed commodities. This consideration is particularly important for an economy like Nigeria's, which is actively seeking to diversify its sources of foreign exchange and reduce dependence on crude oil.

The private sector has already signaled readiness. Atlantic Shrimpers, a Nigerian company that has been engaging the Chinese market since 2018, stated that it has already identified buyers and is prepared to begin exports immediately.

The development also underscores Nigeria's growing efforts to strengthen agricultural exports and deepen economic cooperation with China. If the aquatic products protocol is implemented successfully, it could provide a model for similar agreements in other sectors.

Looking Ahead

With the protocol now signed, attention turns to implementation. Nigerian exporters must still meet China's inspection, quarantine, sanitary, and quality requirements while maintaining reliable supply and competitive prices. The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service will play a central role in supporting exporters to meet the technical, inspection, and certification requirements needed to enter the Chinese market.

For global seafood industry professionals, this agreement signals China's continued commitment to diversifying its seafood import sources while providing African nations with enhanced market access under its zero-tariff policy framework. The coming months will reveal how quickly Nigerian aquatic products can establish a foothold in China's competitive seafood market - and whether this protocol can deliver on its promise of export growth, job creation, and economic transformation.

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