Faith Nyasuguta
China has taken another major step in expanding its military influence across Africa by signing a strategic deal with Nigeria to establish a state-of-the-art military hardware production facility. This agreement marks a significant turning point in China-Africa defense relations, placing Nigeria at the center of Beijing’s growing security network on the continent.
The new deal, announced during an official visit to China by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, includes local production of military-grade ammunition and servicing of military equipment. At the core of this partnership is the transfer of advanced defense technology and technical expertise to Nigerian personnel.
The facility, to be constructed in Kaduna and Kachia in Kaduna State, will produce a wide range of ammunition types, including 7.62*51mm ball cartridges, 7.62*51mm blank cartridges, 9*19mm pistol cartridges, and various forms of machine gun ammunition. In addition to the ammunition, the facilities will include workshops for manufacturing brass casings, bullet jackets, and other vital components, further enabling Nigeria to become self-sufficient in its military logistics.
This initiative follows a March visit by representatives of China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), a top Chinese defense manufacturer, to Nigeria. That engagement laid the groundwork for a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NORINCO and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
According to Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, the deal will not only provide local ammunition production but also involve long-term cooperation in upgrading military hardware, maintaining battle tanks, and delivering engineering services critical to Nigeria’s armed forces. Minister Matawalle noted that the Chinese partnership is expected to “transform Nigeria’s defense manufacturing capacity” and reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers.
China is also helping Nigeria boost its air defense systems. A recent high-level visit to China by Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff, led to discussions with top Chinese defense contractors like China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) and NORINCO. The talks focused on adopting advanced technologies to strengthen Nigeria’s Military Total Radar Coverage (MTRACON) initiative. China offered to supply Nigeria with cutting-edge tools like the Sky Dragon air defense system and high-energy laser counter-drone technology.
This growing collaboration is part of China’s broader strategy known as the “Peace Unity-2024” initiative. Through this program, China provides African nations with military training, joint exercises, and defense equipment to address regional security challenges. The initiative showcases Beijing’s aim to present itself as a key security partner to Africa, especially as many countries on the continent seek alternatives to traditional Western military partnerships.
By transferring defense technology and offering advanced military equipment, China is helping African nations reduce their dependence on foreign military imports. For Nigeria, the benefits are immediate: the country gains not only the ability to manufacture ammunition locally but also access to sophisticated air defense systems, increasing its capacity to respond to both internal and external security threats.
Moreover, the strategic importance of Nigeria, a country of over 200 million people and the largest economy in Africa, makes this partnership especially significant for China. It positions Beijing to play a more influential role in regional security and aligns with its long-term interests in Africa’s infrastructure, natural resources, and geopolitics.
Analysts say that while the West continues to grapple with its shifting role in Africa, China is cementing its position through a mix of economic, diplomatic, and now defense-related partnerships. The Nigeria deal is expected to serve as a model for similar arrangements in other African countries, further expanding China’s footprint on the continent.
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