There is a good Chinese friend of mine based in Beijing. She is looking at businesses she can do in Africa, Nigeria especially. China is a place that when you get to, you have zero knowledge of the language. If there is nobody picking you at the airport; I guarantee you will be 100 percent lost on arrival. This is not a country like France or Germany when you can read some of the road signs even though you can't speak French or German. In China, you can't read nothing. And this has created a potentially viable business opportunity.

My friend speaks perfect English and is considering having a consulting company here in Nigeria. Every state Government in Nigeria all wants multiple chinese investor and are voraciously seeking them. Every Nigerian business deals with China directly or not. It's not a coincidence that the President has sanctioned almost $3B of our reserve to be converted to the Chinese yuan.

Even though most people have Alibaba on their phones and can buy stuffs from China directly, they usually pay 5 or 6 times what it would normally cost in china. Any serious business would want to deal with the Chinese directly.

What would be the nature of her business?
1. Language translation. If some people wants to come check out stuffs in China. She can set up machinery to ensure that they meet the right people as language is a very big barrier. You can't even take a taxi on your own if you don't understand the language. If you know, you know.

2. Sourcing for goods. Any company that lands in china will get lost except if they have someone like her who knows the factories and can negotiate great prices for them. Yes, maybe you can get a translator. But you don't want to get a translator who is working for the company. You are her client, and she will always be on your side.

3. If you are a state or local Government. You want to order tractors, fertilizer, vehicles, set up factory, solar energy or attract investment, she got you too. You can't just take the next flight to China with hope that tractor sellers will meet you at the airport.

4. It could even be a pharmaceutical company sourcing for raw materials. She can take of everything.

5. Furniture businesses, and super market chains are not left out. If you want to be the next innoson and want to set up your vehicle manufacturing plant, she got you. Hospitals that want to equip, big building projects who needs finishing materials on the cheap; she has the connection!

She intends to have a physical office in Nigeria which will serve as a link between Nigerian business and China. If you intend to buy anything, or even want to have idea of prices, you can get great info from her. She won't be charging for enquiries.

If you have decided to travel to China to have first hand look; she can organize people that will give you a tour. Book your hotel n taxi or train tickets. Help you communicate with the locals, and always make sure you get the lowest prices, always.

One more thing, the best of anything can be found in China. The fact that fake products from China are imported into Nigeria doesn't mean they don't make the best. They only give you the quality you ask for. Nigerian businessmen tend to lean towards the lower quality goods which is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, people can't afford the best quality stuffs. Quality is never an issue here, that's my point.

What she needs?
1. Is this a viable business opportunity.
2. What could be the cost implications?
3. She is also interested in Nigerians who got great contacts with businesses or manufacturing plants regardless of the sector of the economy.
4. She also needs any general advice as regards to doing businesses in Nigeria. Or anything she should be aware of.

Thanks, all opinions are valid.

it is a very good biz idea, i can partner in this.

I can link her to a Chinese Lady friend of mine also, who does consultancy in Nigeria. It's only a Chinese citizen that can advice her on the area to consult in, because they have been there and understand the business concept and Nigeria business terrain. Contact me on 08033672401. I don't want you to expose her to Nigerians, it's not just about written a proposal for her or given her business advisory services. She needs someone who has gone through what she is about coming to do

miltonchux:
I can link her to a Chinese Lady friend of mine also, who does consultancy in Nigeria. It's only a Chinese citizen that can advice her on the area to consult in, because they have been there and understand the business concept and Nigeria business terrain. Contact me on 08033672401. I don't want you to expose her to Nigerians, it's not just about written a proposal for her or given her business advisory services. She needs someone who has gone through what she is about coming to do

Sure, will contact you

ThatCEO:

4. She also needs any general advice as regards to doing businesses in Nigeria. Or anything she should be aware of.

There is a consultancy firm (Risk Controls Consultancy Services) that assists its clients to figure out and mitigate the security risks which organizations may face while operating in Nigeria.

You may check the company out on its website;

https://riskcontrolnigeria.com/privates/security-consulting