Nigeria is steadily transforming its trade landscape, with non-oil exports reaching $6.1 billion in 2025, the highest on record, reflecting the country’s economic diversification efforts and growing global competitiveness, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) announced on Monday.
Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, NEPC Executive Director, highlighted that the increase, up 11.5 percent from 2024, underscores Nigeria’s expanding footprint in global markets. Total export volumes also rose by 10 percent, reaching 8.02 million metric tonnes, spanning agricultural commodities, processed goods, industrial inputs, and solid minerals.
“The story behind these numbers is one of resilience, innovation, and strategic market expansion,” Ayeni said. Nigerian products now reach 120 countries, with the Netherlands, Brazil, and India emerging as the top export destinations, reflecting strengthened trade ties beyond traditional partners.
Top-performing exports—including cocoa beans, sesame seeds, cashew, gold dore, and aluminium ingots—demonstrate progress toward value addition and diversification, moving the country beyond raw material dependency. NEPC credited the growth to government initiatives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes job creation, poverty alleviation, and strengthened trade infrastructure.
Ayeni also stressed the importance of regional and continental integration, citing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as key for expanding intra-African trade, positioning Nigeria as a strategic hub for African commerce.
Despite logistical challenges, regulatory pressures, and informal trade still bypassing official channels, NEPC’s initiatives—ranging from capacity building and certification support to improved compliance across export chains—have elevated Nigeria’s export profile.
“This milestone shows that Nigeria is not just exporting products; it is exporting competitiveness, expertise, and resilience,” Ayeni concluded, urging continued reforms to solidify non-oil exports as a central pillar of national economic growth.
Nigeria’s Non-Oil Exports Surge, Positioning Country as Global Trade Player
