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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has engaged Nigerian and Chinese business leaders in Beijing as part of efforts to strengthen financial ties between both countries and deepen investment flows.

The high-level roundtable, themed “Strengthening the Nigeria-China Financial Corridor,” brought together business executives, financial sector stakeholders and policymakers to discuss opportunities for expanding financial connectivity and addressing constraints affecting cross-border transactions.

Speaking at the event, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso said the engagement was designed to provide the Bank with direct insights into the challenges and opportunities facing businesses operating between Nigeria and China. He noted that such feedback would help shape efforts to develop deeper and more accessible financial markets.

The roundtable, held at the Pan Pacific Beijing, focused on improving banking relationships, strengthening investment channels and enhancing financial market integration between the two economies.

CBN Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, Philip Ikeazor, outlined the objectives of the engagement, stressing the need to convert Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic fundamentals into increased investment and stronger financial market development.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), also addressed participants, alongside business leaders including Blue Diamond Group Chairperson Festus Mbisiogu and CIG Motors Chairperson Diana Chen, who offered perspectives on operating across the Nigeria-China business corridor.

A key feature of the event was an interactive listening session during which participants highlighted practical challenges affecting financial transactions between the two countries. Among the issues raised were the need for more efficient cross-border payment systems, stronger banking connectivity and an expanded Nigerian banking presence in China.

Participants also discussed broader opportunities to improve financial flows, increase access to investment opportunities and strengthen financial services available to businesses and investors.

The engagement included a presentation on Nigeria’s economic reform efforts, improved macroeconomic indicators and investment opportunities within the country’s financial markets.

In his closing remarks, Cardoso emphasised the importance of translating stakeholder feedback into concrete policy engagement and institutional cooperation, noting that insights from the discussions would inform the CBN’s future engagements with financial institutions and regulatory counterparts.

The Beijing roundtable forms part of the apex bank’s wider strategy to deepen Nigeria’s financial relationships across Asia. The China programme follows earlier engagements in Singapore and at the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok.

As part of the visit, the CBN is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the People’s Bank of China, engage with the leadership of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), and meet additional Nigerian and Chinese business stakeholders.

The programme will also extend to Guangzhou, where the Bank plans to hold a listening session with members of the Nigerian business community aimed at identifying financial challenges, strengthening remittance channels and encouraging investment into Nigeria.