ABUJA, Nigeria, Nov. 1, 2026 – Nigeria and China have signed a 200 million yuan, about $30 million, grant agreement to support grassroots development projects.

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‎The agreement was signed on Thursday at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja.

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‎Budget and Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said the grant will support mutually agreed projects under China’s “small but beautiful” initiative, which focuses on community-level impact.

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‎Bagudu said the grant builds on previous Chinese support, including a $1 million contribution earlier in 2026 for technology and knowledge development. He said the ministry, working with the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership Office, is developing projects proposed by states to address grassroots needs.

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‎He said the government would link the projects to its Renewed Hope Ward Development Plan, which targets economic opportunities across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards.

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‎Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai said the grant shows China’s commitment to Nigeria’s development and follows agreements reached by Presidents Bola Tinubu and Xi Jinping and the Fourth China-Nigeria Cooperation Forum in Beijing.

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‎Yu said 2026 marks 55 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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‎He said China’s zero-tariff policy on Nigerian exports, which took effect on May 1, 2026, has boosted trade. He said bilateral trade reached $18 billion in the first half of the year, while Nigeria’s exports to China rose by 80 percent.

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‎Yu said the zero-tariff arrangement expires on May 1, 2028, and urged both sides to work toward an economic partnership agreement to sustain trade growth.

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‎Permanent Secretary Deborah Odoh thanked the Chinese government for its continued support.

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‎The ministry said it would work with Chinese partners to ensure transparent and efficient implementation of the projects.