In Africa for mutual growth

Chinese firms have to maintain good ties with political parties and tribal leaders to achieve success in Nigeria

Massive swathes of dense forests, expansive grasslands and an overabundance of flora and fauna is what people in China visualize when they think of Africa. But when I walked the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, the economic hub of West Africa and the second largest city in the continent, what caught my eyes were the massive construction sites, continuous movement of cars and motorcycles and the sprawling vibrant markets. This modern metropolis is a land of opportunities, of growth.

Chinese companies have found a lot of avenues to do business in Nigeria. That is not surprising because the country's 155 million population constitutes a vast market, the largest in Africa. The Nigerian economy is booming; its GDP has been rising more than 5 percent a year for the past three years. Nigeria has the 10th largest proven petroleum reserve in the world and is the eighth biggest crude oil exporter. Its oil money has created a rich social stratum and a rising middle class - or consumers. Every year, more than a million rich Nigerians flock to Dubai for shopping.