See top Chinese construction companies operating in Nigeria

The economic relationship between China and Nigeria has grown into one of the most visible partnerships in Africa, with the country becoming the largest builder of infrastructure in Nigeria.

Over the past two decades, both countries have strengthened ties through trade, infrastructure financing, and investment driven by Nigeria’s need for capital and gaps in critical infrastructure industrial capacity and China’s search for markets, resources, and geopolitical influence.

Chinese firms have brought technical expertise, manpower, and financing that have accelerated the execution of large‑scale projects, with China’s direct investment in Nigeria reaching $ 690 million, rising by 103% in 2025.

Aside from this, trade figures highlight that in July 2025, trade between the two countries had risen by 34.7% to $15.48 billion, and by December, trade volume reached 28 billion US dollars, an increase of more than 28 percent year-on-year.

Today, hundreds of Chinese firms operate in Nigeria across a range of sectors, predominantly in construction, but also in manufacturing, telecommunications, and energy. As these companies continue to grow their footprint, they remain central players in Nigeria’s effort to expand and modernize its infrastructure.

Here are the top Chinese construction companies in Nigeria 

China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) 

China Railway Construction Corporation, widely known as CRCC, is recognised as one of the largest construction and engineering companies in the world, often ranking among the top three by revenue globally. It operates in over 140 countries, with footprint in rail, highway, bridge, tunnel and urban transit projects.

• CRCC’s involvement in Nigeria goes back decades as part of China’s broader engagement in building the country’s rail network. The firm has been involved in landmark rail contracts, including the ongoing Kano–Kaduna standard gauge railway, which was around 39% completed and on track for full delivery in December 2026, as well as the Abuja–Kaduna and Lagos–Ibadan railways.
• In 2019, the federal government and the company signed an agreement to construct the $3.9 billion Abuja-Baru-Itakpe-Warri rail line.
• As part of the agreement, the CRCC will also handle the construction of a new seaport in Warri. The projects, upon completion, will be managed by the consortium for a period of 30 years.

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) 

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation is one of the longest‑established Chinese construction firms operating in Nigeria, with a presence in the country since the early 1980s.

The company builds major infrastructure projects and has become a familiar name in Nigeria’s drive to expand and modernize its transport network and other public works.

• CCECC built the Lagos‑Ibadan Railway, a 157‑kilometre line linking Lagos and Ibadan, which began operations in 2021, more recently, they ventured into commercial freight services licenced by the Nigerian Railway Corporation making it the first company authorised to operate cargo trains on the corridor.
• The company also constructed the 187‑kilometre Abuja‑Kaduna Railway, further strengthening connections between the Federal Capital Territory and northern Nigeria.
• Beyond these, CCECC was also contracted for the Ibadan–Ilorin (200 km), Ilorin–Minna (270 km) and Minna–Abuja (300 km) segments that form part of the planned Lagos‑Kano rail corridor, and it is responsible for the 204‑kilometre Kaduna–Kano project. In addition, the firm is handling the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail line rehabilitation project.

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) 

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company, specializes in large-scale marine engineering, ports, highways, bridges, dredging, and transport infrastructure.

• CHEC is mainly known for its central role in the development of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, one of West Africa’s largest deep-water ports. Delivered through a public-private partnership, the port is designed to handle large container vessels, reduce congestion at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional maritime hub.
• Beyond maritime infrastructure, the company completed the expansion of the 5.4-kilometre Abuja–Keffi Expressway and the dualisation of the 220-kilometre Keffi–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi road, a strategic highway linking the Federal Capital Territory to North-Central Nigeria and improving the movement of goods, commuters and agricultural produce.
• CHEC is also involved in the proposed $3 billion Green Line Rail project, a mass transit corridor planned to connect Marina on Lagos Island to the Lekki corridor.

China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) 

China Communications Construction Company, commonly known as CCCC, is one of the world’s largest infrastructure and engineering firms, with operations spanning ports, highways, railways, bridges, dredging and urban development

The company is leading the Development of New Enugu City, a multi-phase project spanning over 2,900 hectares in its first phase, designed to create a modern urban centre with residential, commercial, and institutional facilities.

• In addition, CCCC is responsible for constructing more than 100 kilometres of new roads across Enugu State, developing a 5-star hotel in Enugu, and handling the $200 million Kaduna Poultry Project, to expand poultry production, generate employment, and strengthen the local agribusiness ecosystem.
• The company has contributed to Nigeria’s national infrastructure agenda, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project and land reclamation of Lagos Free Zone (LFZ).

China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) 

China Gezhouba Group Corp. (CGGC) is a major Chinese construction and engineering company known internationally as part of the team that built the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project.

• The company officially established its North Central and West Africa headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, on October 26, 2016.
• One of CGGC’s most notable projects in Nigeria came in November 2017, when a consortium led by the company, including Sinohydro Corp. Ltd. and CGCOC Group Co. Ltd. signed a $5.792 billion contract with the Federal Government to construct the Mambilla Hydropower Project, a 3,050‑megawatt plant on the Donga River in Taraba State.

CGCOC Group Co. Ltd  

CGCOC Group Co., Ltd was originally established in 1983 as CGC Nigeria Ltd., when Chinese engineers first came to Nigeria under a government-aid project to drill water supply wells. This initial operation became the company’s local presence in Nigeria.

In 2002, CGC Nigeria was integrated into the larger CGCOC Group following the creation of CGC Overseas Construction Group Co., Ltd., as the company expanded its operations internationally.

Its water division has constructed over 100 water plants across 36 states. Notable projects include the Dadinkowa Water Plant in Gombe State, which sources water from Dadinkowa Dam, treats it, and distributes it to Gombe city, with a capacity of 50,000 tons per day.

• CGCOC has handled major road infrastructure projects, including the Abuja Outer North Ring Expressway (ONXE) and the South Outer Ring Expressway (OSEX). The ONXE Project spans 20.35 km with ten two-way lanes, designed to ease traffic congestion in the capital, while the OSEX Project covers 6.25 km, including bridges, pedestrian overpasses, drainage, and integrated city utilities.
• CGCOC also executed the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, launched in 2021 in partnership with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and financed jointly with the Export-Import Bank of China.

China National Chemical Engineering International Corporation (CNCEC) 

China National Chemical Engineering International Corporation is a leading Chinese construction and engineering firm that specialises in large‑scale industrial, energy, and petrochemical projects.

In Nigeria, the company has been at the forefront of some of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure and energy ventures.

• CNCEC is a key partner in the $20 billion Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP), collaborating with Alpha Grip Management Company (AGMC), a UAE-based firm, to develop a large-scale industrial and energy hub in Delta State, featuring power plants, fertilizer and petrochemical facilities, and aluminium smelting infrastructure.
• Additionally, CNCEC signed a $1.2 billion contract with the Federal Government to rehabilitate the gas processing plant at the dormant Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) site in Akwa Ibom State.

Power China

PowerChina operates through subsidiaries such as PowerChina International, SEPCO and Sinohydro, focusing mainly on hydropower, transmission systems, and industrial infrastructure

The company’s presence in the country dates back to 2002, when its subsidiary SEPCOIII delivered a 335-megawatt gas turbine power plant in Papalanto, Ogun State. Since then, additional PowerChina subsidiaries have expanded into Nigeria.

• One of the company’s projects is the Olorunsogo Gas-fired Power Plant Phases I and II in Ogun State, with the 750MW combined-cycle Phase II commissioned in 2015. The company also served as a key subcontractor on the Omotosho Gas-fired Power Plant project and has carried out major rehabilitation works at the Kainji Hydropower Plant, including turbine upgrades and ongoing extension works designed to add about 305MW of capacity and Dadin Kowa Hydropower Plant.
• One of the company’s most significant undertakings is the Zungeru Hydropower Plant in Niger State, a 700MW facility developed on the Kaduna River.
• Beyond electricity generation, PowerChina has contributed to infrastructure like the 10.5-kilometre road network within the Ogun Free Trade Zone, expansion of dams under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMMING) Project, including works in Kano and Sokoto states.