Traders in Lagos protest claims of Chinese entrepreneurs engaging in retail trade
Traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, Nigeria, held a protest against the alleged involvement of Chinese citizens in retail trade. Participants said this was harming their businesses, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
On Monday, protesters gathered at markets within the complex, located along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Videos published on the social network X show them chanting and holding placards, including demands for Chinese traders to leave the market.
Complaints from local sellers
One trader said that Chinese businesses can purchase goods directly from manufacturers and suppliers in China, allowing them to set lower prices that Nigerian retail sellers find difficult to compete with. According to him, this causes local traders to lose sales.
Protest participants also claimed that some Chinese companies had rented shops and set up warehouses in the complex, from which they sold goods directly to consumers. They said that some businesses allegedly obtained customers' phone numbers from waybills and contacted them to offer their goods.
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The protesters stressed that they were not calling for attacks on Chinese citizens or damage to their property. At the same time, they spoke out against the alleged involvement of Chinese entrepreneurs in retail trade.
Reactions and the situation in Kenya
On social media, the protest sparked mixed reactions. User Olugbenga Michael called on the Lagos State authorities to intervene but warned that the situation should not create an impression of Nigeria's hostility toward foreigners. The Somolutogether page, on the other hand, criticized the protest and noted that consumers can choose cheaper goods.
The publication noted that it was unable to independently verify the protesters' claims. Chinese traders or their representatives had not commented on these statements at the time of publication.
The protest took place less than two weeks after Kenyan President William Ruto's decision regarding small shops owned by foreigners. On September 2, he ordered such retail outlets to be closed and instructed the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry to begin measures against foreigners engaged in local and street trading from September 7.
