Contemporary China-Nigeria Economic Relations: Chinese Imperialism or South-South Mutual Partnership?

Abstract

This study examines the vicissitudes of contemporary Sino-Nigerian trade relations by articulating and contextualising the phenomenal upsurge in China’s trade with Nigeria within the purview of the undercurrents of neo-liberalism. It further explores the diversified nature of Chinese investments in Nigeria especially in the areas of transportation, oil and gas, agriculture, communication and distribution. The work submits that while China has been feasting on Nigeria’s natural resources to propel its massive industrial complex, it has also been pursuing a policy of de-industrialisation in some strategic sectors of the Nigerian economy. The paper concludes that though Chinese investments in the areas of infrastructural development may appear crucial to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development, at the same time the skewed trading relationship that has turned Nigeria into a dumping ground for Chinese manufactured goods has wrecked havoc on Nigeria’s infant industries and stifled the development of the Nigeria’s indigenous enterprise. (Manuscript received March 01, 2008; accepted for publication April 22, 2008)