China-Africa Relations: The Northern Nigerian Textile Industry

This project takes a critical look into China’s policy in Africa. The work assesses the significance and challenges of China-Africa cooperation focusing on Nigeria. The paper argued that analyzing the nexus between Beijing and Africa should not center on China’s investments and financial aid. Instead, it should reflect on the competitive hedge China enjoys through these investments in terms of direct access to each market sector of the African economy, and it impacts on local businesses. The study examines the impacts of China’s approach on the textile industry in Kano and Kaduna states in northern Nigeria, to provide an insight into China’s endgame in Africa. The study used descriptive statistics and qualitative research methods to analyze the data. Analyses revealed that China’s influence in Africa connects to its generous loans on infrastructures. Beijing’s financial help and the China-Africa development cooperation forum open African markets to the Chinese to engage and explore, resulting in China becoming the primary source of manufacturing products in Africa, such as textiles, clothing, and footwear. Data shows that over ninety percent (90%) materials in Kano and Kaduna markets came from China. The study advanced that the Nigerian government trade policy contributed to the influx of Chinese fabrics into northern Nigeria. The decision to rescind the ban on importing textiles in 2010 maximized access for foreign materials to penetrate Kano and Kaduna markets when most home factories are barely functioning. This move plays well for the textile producers in China. With Nigeria being one of the China export destinations in Africa, less barrier provides direct retail transactions in places like Kano and Kaduna, where an informal market system synonymous with developing countries exists. However, this study was unable to access statistical data the shows the direct implication of the influx of Chinese textiles on the level of unemployment in northern Nigeria, a limitation to this project. This study believes portraying China as help to Africa may not reflect China’s interest in the continent. The work concluded that African leaders need to set their priorities through trade and economy policies that are well defined