Business
Non-oil export surges by 21 per cent to $12.8billion
On the strength of the Federal Government’s targeted trade reforms, improved export processes, and increased value addition across key sectors, Nigeria recorded strong progress in export-led growth and diversification, with non-oil exports growing by 21 per cent, reaching $12.8 billion in the first half of 2025.
This is nearly double the $6.5 billion target and contributing to a N12 trillion trade surplus during the same period.
The performance reflects a broader expansion in trade activity, with overall trade value rising by 14 per cent, with further gains expected as trade facilitation reforms and logistics infrastructure continue to mature.
Nigeria’s leading non-oil export commodities included cocoa and cocoa derivatives (butter and powder), sesame seeds, cashew nuts, shea butter, ginger, hibiscus flower, rubber, palm oil derivatives, fertilisers, cement and clinker, and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the arrowhead of the policy reforms in the export sector, outlined these gains in its 2025 review of its activities and priorities for 2026, released last week.
The document, ‘2025: A Defining Year for Nigeria’s Industry, Trade and Investment’, assessed Nigeria’s economic repositioning under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
The Ministry, in the review, said “year 2025 marked a defining phase in Nigeria’s economic repositioning under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Ministry said it delivered critical reforms and results that deepened industrial capacity, expanded exports, and restored investor confidence.
“Non-oil exports grew by 21 per cent, reaching $12.8 billion in H1 2025, nearly double the $6.5 billion target and contributing to a N12 trillion trade surplus during the same period,” the review by the Ministry said.
In the document, which was made available to The Nation, the Ministry stated that “Progress recorded in 2025 reflects strong collaboration across government agencies, the private sector, and development partners, translating policy intent into tangible and measurable economic outcomes”
Accordingly, the Ministry said it partnered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in strengthening national export capacity by training 27,352 exporters, certifying 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for international trade.
The partnership with NEPC also supported 3,047 farmers through the distribution of hybrid seedlings, and advanced inclusive trade through the Women Export Fund, which attracted over 67,000 applications and awarded grants to 146 women-led enterprises.
Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones generated over $500 million in export revenues and created more than 20,000 direct jobs, reinforcing their role as engines of export-led growth, industrialisation, and employment generation through the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA).
“In food systems and traceability, we have revitalised the Nigeria Commodity Exchange and launched the National Trade and Distribution Company with Afreximbank to support value-chain development and the traceable, structured trade of agricultural and mineral commodities,” the Ministry added.
In November 2025, Nigeria launched its Talent Accelerator Network, a part of the Global Network of Accelerators at the World Economic Forum, with four Co-Chairs providing leadership – two Private sector Co-Chairs (CEOs of Africa Finance Corporation and Flour Mills of Nigeria) and two Public Sector Co-Chairs (Ministers of Industry, Trade & Investment and Education) respectively.
The Accelerator is focused on providing a Coordinated Action Plan to equip the local industry with the required skills and enable the digital export of excess capacity.
The Ministry also said it advanced the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership in shaping Africa’s integrated trade future under the leadership of Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
According to the review, Nigeria hosted the Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat alongside 30 Nigerian digital operators, advancing collaboration on digital trade and services exports.
“Nigeria was subsequently appointed Co-Champion of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, alongside Kenya and South Africa, by the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government,” it stated, adding that President Tinubu received commendation from the Assembly for advancing digital trade across Africa.
To strengthen coordination and execution, the Ministry, the review said, inaugurated the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee, which brings together over 20 public and private sector institutions.
It added that Nigeria gazetted its Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions, enabling Nigerian businesses to trade duty-free on 90 per cent of goods across Africa, and became the first AfCFTA State Party to publish its five-year implementation review, ensuring evidence-based and accountable implementation.
The review listed some concrete actions delivered to accelerate exports and competitiveness to include the first-ever national mapping of digital services, identifying over 200 firms across 17 sectors; launch of a dedicated Exports Air Cargo Corridor to East and Southern Africa in partnership with Uganda Airlines and the United Nations Development Programme, achieving 50–75 pert cent reductions in logistics costs
Other actions include hosting of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Market Access Roundtable in Lagos with regulators from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa. The engagement provided direct insight into market entry rules, licensing requirements, and regulatory processes across these priority markets
There is also the publication of a Market Intelligence Tool covering cosmetics, agro-processed products, and textiles across thirteen African markets. “These interventions have expanded access for manufactured and agricultural exports and promoted the competitiveness of Nigerian goods and SME’s across regional markets,” the review said.
Nigeria also secured hosting rights for major continental platforms, including the AfCFTA Digital Forum, Creative Africa Nexus 2026, the AfCFTA Council of Ministers Meeting 2026, the Intra-African Trade Fair 2027 and Investopia.
These platforms bring investment and global partners into Nigeria, opening new markets and financing opportunities for businesses, creatives, exporters, and MSMEs. “Hosting catalytic events creates jobs, boosts local enterprise visibility, and positions Nigeria as a leading hub for trade and innovation in Africa,” the review stated.
Beyond recording strong progress in export trade, the Ministry also said in 2025, it recorded significant progress in investment attraction, adopting a systems-driven approach that improved project visibility, reduced information gaps, and strengthened the bankability of investment pipelines.
It noted that the new approach delivered measurable outcomes, with four priority investment projects valued at $13.7 billion progressing to advanced stages, representing a conversion rate of over 25 per cent from $50.8 billion in signed Memoranda of Understanding.
The ministry said it recorded a decisive turnaround in investment attraction, responding strategically, rather than reactively, to global economic headwinds and clearly signalling that Nigeria is open for business.
Source link