With the take-off of the forthcoming 140th Canton Fair holding in China later this month, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has entered a strategic partnership with China Southern Airlines, to ease the travelling from Nigeria to China for the event.
NACCIMA Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs. Madinat Adigun-Oladotun, disclosed in a press statement that with the strategic partnership, the purposes of business, investment will now be easier, cheaper, more reliable and more efficient.
Adigun-Oladotun explained tha arrangement will kick-off with the forthcoming 140th Canton Fair holding between October 15th and November 4th 2026.
According to her, members of the Nigerian business community who are willing to participate in the forthcoming Canton Fair as well as the NACCIMA Business and Investment Forum in Guanghzou, can now speak with Trendsbridge Travels and Tours, the company which midwifed the partnership between NACCIMA and the China Southern Airlines, to book their flight tickets.
She explained that the package comes with opportunities for fairer airfare, seamless booking experience, generous baggage, faster connection in Addis Ababa, and better services. Group movement also attracts more discounts.
According to her, “China Southern Airlines is one of the 3 highly-rated airlines in China. Headquartered in Guanghzou, it is also the world’s sixth-largest passenger carrier operating an extensive network spanning over 200 global destinations.”
Under the arrangement, the flight from Nigeria to China will commence October 12th and will only be available on Mondays and Fridays.
Mrs Adigun-Oladotun said the partnership represents another practical step by NACCIMA towards reducing some of the logistical barriers confronting Nigerian businesses seeking to participate in the China market.
She said the ultimate goal for NACCIMA is to facilitate direct flight between Nigeria and China in the nearest future, thereby reducing travel time and the hassles involved in stop-overs.
It is recalled that the National President of NACCIMA, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, advocated a direct air link between Nigeria and China, saying NACCIMA was ready to work with relevant stakeholders to make it a reality.
Engr. Ibrahim hinged his advocacy on the volume of passengers flying from Nigeria to China for various purposes, especially business and investment engagements.
According to China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, Nigeria-China bilateral trade reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 35 per cent increase from the corresponding period of 2025. Nigerian exports to China also rose sharply during the period, reaching $2.3 billion.
The development comes amid China’s expanded zero-tariff treatment for eligible products from African countries, including Nigeria, which took effect on May 1, 2026.
The policy is expected to create additional opportunities for African exporters seeking access to the Chinese market, subject to applicable rules of origin and product eligibility.
Against this backdrop, NACCIMA views improved air connectivity not merely as a travel convenience, but as an important component of trade facilitation and economic diplomacy.
Easier movement of businesspeople can support stronger commercial relationships, increase participation in international trade platforms, facilitate investment matchmaking and help Nigerian enterprises explore opportunities in China’s vast manufacturing and consumer markets.
The NACCIMA-China Southern Airlines arrangement is therefore expected to complement the Chamber’s wider efforts to position Nigerian businesses to take greater advantage of emerging trade, investment, technology and industrial opportunities in China.
