A delegation of Nigerian entrepreneurs has held talks with Chinese business leaders and trade promotion officials in Hunan Province, China, as both sides explored opportunities for increased investment and industrial cooperation between Nigeria and the Chinese province.
The engagement took place on September 10 at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha during a symposium on China-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation.
The 12-member Nigerian delegation was led by Austin Akpehe, Chairman of the Kuje Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mining and Agriculture.
The meeting brought together officials of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Research Institute of Hunan Province, the General Chamber of Commerce of Hunan-Nigeria and representatives of several Hunan-based enterprises.
Welcoming the Nigerian delegation, Executive President and Secretary-General of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Research Institute of Hunan Province, Peng Zheng, outlined the province’s growing economic engagement with Africa.
Peng said Hunan’s trade with African countries reached 58 billion yuan in 2025, representing a 5.8 percent increase year-on-year.
He noted that Hunan had maintained its position as the leading province in central and western China in trade with Africa for seven consecutive years.
According to him, the Research Institute leverages major platforms, including the China-Africa Economic and Trade Fair and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Deep Cooperation Pioneer Zone, to support Chinese enterprises seeking opportunities in African markets.
He said the institute provides a range of services, including research, project matchmaking, fiscal and tax advisory support and legal assistance.
Peng said the meeting with the Nigerian delegation was an opportunity to deepen exchanges between Hunan enterprises, Nigerian chambers of commerce and businesses, with the ultimate objective of translating discussions into concrete investment projects.
In his remarks, Akpehe said the Kuje Chamber of Commerce, based in Abuja, has members operating in sectors including business, mining and agriculture.
He said the chamber was positioned to assist Chinese companies seeking to enter the Nigerian market by facilitating connections with government institutions, industrial parks, distributors and prospective local partners.
Akpehe identified agriculture, mineral resources, renewable energy, healthcare and the digital economy as sectors with significant opportunities for investment in Nigeria.
He also advocated a transition from a predominantly trade-based relationship towards greater local investment and production by Chinese companies in Nigeria.
On her part, the Executive President of the General Chamber of Commerce of Hunan-Nigeria, Peng Li, said the chamber’s knowledge of Nigeria’s regulatory environment, labour market and business risks could help Hunan enterprises establish a presence in the country.
She said the chamber was prepared to provide practical support to companies in areas including market assessment, business registration, engineering and supply-chain development.
The business session featured presentations and discussions around specific areas of potential cooperation.
Guangming Heavy Machinery presented proposals relating to mining and metallurgical equipment, while Zhicai Electrical Appliances explored opportunities to connect with Nigeria’s small household appliance distribution channels.
Hunan Kangyuan Pharmaceutical discussed prospects for localised pharmaceutical production, while Redsun New Energy presented its experience in solar power and energy-storage projects in Nigeria.
The meeting also examined human-capital development and regulatory compliance.
Xu Jin, Dean of the School of Humanities and Tourism at Hunan Vocational and Technical College, spoke on talent development, while Zeng Aiwu, head of the Research Association’s tax and customs compliance review team, addressed tax and customs compliance.
At the conclusion of the engagement, the participating organisations agreed to establish a regular coordination mechanism to facilitate follow-up discussions and advance identified areas of cooperation.
The mechanism is expected to support the implementation of a number of small-scale projects in Nigeria and create a platform for further investment and industrial collaboration between Nigerian businesses and enterprises in Hunan Province.
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