Nigeria-China Aquatic Products Protocol: A new frontier for economic transformation

Nigeria should identify the aquatic species and products with the greatest Chinese-market potential; map existing production capacity; identify production gaps; establish export-oriented aquaculture clusters; develop Chinese-approved farms and processing facilities; strengthen laboratories and certification; expand hatcheries and fingerling production; increase domestic feed production; develop cold-chain infrastructure; attract Chinese technology and investment; establish producer-aggregation systems; strengthen digital traceability; develop Nigerian brands; reduce post-harvest losses; improve access to long-term finance; develop specialised skills; strengthen sustainability; and establish measurable production and export targets.

Its strategic significance lies in its potential to establish a Nigeria-China aquatic-products value chain extending across production, technology, processing, certification, logistics, investment, marketing and export.

More than an agreement concerning the export of fish and other aquatic products, the Protocol creates an important platform for expanding trade, attracting investment, developing aquaculture, transferring technology, creating employment, and strengthening Nigeria’s emerging Blue Economy.