Economic Sustainability: Evaluating the Impact of Chinese Imports on Local Industries in Nigeria and Ethiopia (2018–2024)

Anthony Maduka Emelife¹, Chibuzor Chigozie Nweke², Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor³, James Osita Igweike⁴, Christian Chidi Okeke⁵

^1,2,3,4,5 Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. 

Abstract

The study examined the impact of Chinese imports on local industries in Nigeria and Ethiopia from 2018 to 2024. Despite protectionist measures such as tariffs and import bans by several underdeveloped countries, enforcement challenges, smuggling, and consumer preference for cheaper Chinese products undermined local industrialization efforts, thus necessitating an examination of how this applies to Nigeria and Ethiopia. The research adopted Dependency Theory. It utilised explanatory design and relied on secondary data analysed from documents as well as content analysis as methodology. Findings revealed that Chinese imports intensified deindustrialization in both countries, with asymmetric trade benefits favouring China. It also revealed that despite infrastructure investments, structural challenges such as poor power supply, high logistics costs, and low technological capacity constrained industrial competitiveness. The study therefore recommended strengthening of domestic industrial capacity via technology transfer and innovation, improvement in infrastructure and logistics, and diversification of trade portfolios to develop value-added exports tailored towards restoration of economic sovereignty in Nigeria and Ethiopia.    

Keywords: Trade relations, Chinese imports, Domestic market disruptions, Local industries, Nigeria, Ethiopia

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