The economic relationship between China and Nigeria has grown into one of the most visible partnerships in Africa, with the country becoming the largest builder of infrastructure in Nigeria.
Over the past two decades, both countries have strengthened ties through trade, infrastructure financing, and investment driven by Nigeria’s need for capital and gaps in critical infrastructure industrial capacity and China’s search for markets, resources, and geopolitical influence.
Chinese firms have brought technical expertise, manpower, and financing that have accelerated the execution of large‑scale projects, with China’s direct investment in Nigeria reaching $ 690 million, rising by 103% in 2025.
Aside from this, trade figures highlight that in July 2025, trade between the two countries had risen by 34.7% to $15.48 billion, and by December, trade volume reached 28 billion US dollars, an increase of more than 28 percent year-on-year.
Today, hundreds of Chinese firms operate in Nigeria across a range of sectors, predominantly in construction, but also in manufacturing, telecommunications, and energy. As these companies continue to grow their footprint, they remain central players in Nigeria’s effort to expand and modernize its infrastructure.
Here are the top Chinese construction companies in Nigeria
PowerChina operates through subsidiaries such as PowerChina International, SEPCO and Sinohydro, focusing mainly on hydropower, transmission systems, and industrial infrastructure
The company’s presence in the country dates back to 2002, when its subsidiary SEPCOIII delivered a 335-megawatt gas turbine power plant in Papalanto, Ogun State. Since then, additional PowerChina subsidiaries have expanded into Nigeria.
- One of the company’s projects is the Olorunsogo Gas-fired Power Plant Phases I and II in Ogun State, with the 750MW combined-cycle Phase II commissioned in 2015. The company also served as a key subcontractor on the Omotosho Gas-fired Power Plant project and has carried out major rehabilitation works at the Kainji Hydropower Plant, including turbine upgrades and ongoing extension works designed to add about 305MW of capacity and Dadin Kowa Hydropower Plant.
- One of the company’s most significant undertakings is the Zungeru Hydropower Plant in Niger State, a 700MW facility developed on the Kaduna River.
- Beyond electricity generation, PowerChina has contributed to infrastructure like the 10.5-kilometre road network within the Ogun Free Trade Zone, expansion of dams under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMMING) Project, including works in Kano and Sokoto states.
