Traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex have protested against the involvement of Chinese nationals in retail trading, accusing them of taking over a market traditionally dominated by Nigerian retailers.
The protest was held on Monday at markets within the Trade Fair Complex along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, with protesters carrying placards including, “Chinese must go” and “They should go far from our market environment and not be taking our customers.”
The traders said their main concern was the alleged shift by some Chinese businesses from wholesale trading to selling directly to consumers.
One of the protesters said Chinese traders initially came into Nigeria mainly as wholesalers but had gradually moved into retail, giving them an advantage because of their direct access to manufacturers and suppliers in China.
“We no longer make sales. If you import goods, they slash their prices lower than our own and sell to our customers,” he said.
The trader also alleged that some Chinese businesses had rented shops and built warehouses within the market, where they now sell directly to consumers. He claimed that some obtain customers’ contact details from waybills and use them to market their products.
He said the traders were not calling for attacks on Chinese nationals or their businesses.
“If any of us spoils anything here, the person will pay for it. We are not saying we are going to beat the Chinese or spoil their warehouse,” he said.
He added, “What we are saying is that the personal relationship between us and the Chinese is important to us, but they should not do our business.”
The protesters said the price advantage they attributed to the Chinese retailers was making it increasingly difficult for local businesses to retain customers.
“If this continues, five years from now, your shop will be taken away from you,” the trader warned.
The traders described the demonstration as peaceful and called for action to address what they consider unfair competition in the market.