Chinese Retail Competition: Nigerian Traders Need Capacity, Not Restrictions

I do not think Nigerian business owners should ask the government to rein in Chinese traders. A serious economy should organise everyone operating within it, enforce labour standards and create conditions that make business productive and profitable. Competition should push traders and manufacturers to build capacity. For traders, this means reliable sales points, sound records, strong customer relationships and assets that can support bank guarantees. Loans alone do not create sustainable businesses. From my experience as a trader in Ile-Ife, multiple sales outlets, staff, reporting systems and permanent business locations made daily turnover possible. Real estate and other collateral can also help traders meet suppliers’ minimum order quantities and secure credit at better terms. Chinese operators in Nigeria also have to meet manufacturers’ minimum order quantities. Nigerian traders should focus on building the capacity to compete rather than seeking restrictions on competitors.

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