About Shang You
Mission
To connect African and Chinese businesses through trusted sourcing, business facilitation, investment matchmaking, trade missions, and strategic partnerships — enabling seamless cross-border commerce, industrial growth, and long-term economic prosperity.
Vision
To be Africa's most trusted gateway for trade, investment, and business collaboration with China — creating sustainable economic opportunities and empowering businesses to thrive globally.
The corridor
We don't treat China as a destination. We treat it as the far end of a corridor — and we operate every station between Lagos and the Pearl River Delta as part of the same delivery.
01Origin
Too many African operators arrive in China with great intentions and leave with the wrong factory. A WeChat group. A business card. An order that ships late, or never.
Shang You was founded by operators who had already made the trip a dozen times over — for textiles, for power equipment, for construction profiles. The pattern was clear: the value isn't in the plane ticket. It's in who picks you up at the airport, which factory floor you walk first, and who's in the room when the price comes down.
We turned that experience into a programme. Pre-vetted manufacturers across ten priority sectors. Sector-matched interpreters who know that “tolerance” means something different in injection moulding than in finance. And a follow-up desk that keeps moving long after the cohort flies home.
“The trip is the introduction. The contract is the deliverable.”
02What we stand for
Ten commitments that shape how Shang You Trade works — with clients, suppliers, partners, and the communities on both sides of the corridor.
We conduct business with honesty, transparency, and professionalism, ensuring that every transaction, partnership, and engagement is built on trust and ethical practices.
We are committed to delivering exceptional service, high-quality solutions, and continuous improvement in all aspects of our operations.
We strive to be a dependable partner for our clients by providing verified information, trusted suppliers, and consistent support throughout the business journey.
We embrace technology, creativity, and forward-thinking solutions to simplify international trade and create new opportunities for businesses.
We believe that strong partnerships drive sustainable success. We foster meaningful relationships between African and Chinese businesses, governments, investors, and institutions.
Our clients' success is our success. We are dedicated to understanding their needs and delivering solutions that help them grow and compete globally.
We bridge cultural and business differences by promoting mutual respect, effective communication, and cross-border collaboration.
We take responsibility for our actions, commitments, and results, ensuring that we consistently deliver value to our stakeholders.
We support business practices that contribute to long-term economic development, responsible trade, and shared prosperity across Africa and China.
We focus on creating measurable value for our clients, partners, investors, and communities through every service and opportunity we facilitate.
04The people behind Shang You
Valentine is a seasoned business leader with extensive experience in the Chinese market and Africa–China trade relations. An alumnus of multiple prestigious Chinese universities — including the Central University of Finance and Economics, HKUST Business School, Renmin University Business School, Fudan University School of Management, and Northwest University — and of Lagos Business School, where he earned his MBA, he combines international expertise with practical business experience. He is also currently pursuing a PhD at a private Nigerian university. Through his leadership, Shang You Trade is committed to connecting businesses, fostering strategic partnerships, and creating sustainable trade and investment opportunities between Africa and China.
Director of China Operations & Business Development
Blessing is an international trade professional with a Master's degree in International Relations and over seven years of experience living in China. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese and well-versed in Chinese business culture, she specializes in China–Africa trade, strategic sourcing, procurement, and cross-border business development. She is passionate about connecting African businesses with verified Chinese manufacturers and creating sustainable trade and tourism partnerships that drive long-term growth.
Head of Client Relations
Cynthia is a dedicated professional who combines academic excellence with a passion for leadership, innovation, and cross-cultural engagement. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Language from a Chinese university and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Education in China. With strong academic exposure and a deep understanding of Chinese language and culture, she is passionate about fostering educational advancement, organizational growth, and meaningful collaboration between African and Chinese institutions and businesses.
