Nigeria’s exports to Africa surged in the first half of 2025, reaching N4.82 trillion, a 14 per cent increase from N4.21 trillion in the same period of 2024.
West Africa continued to dominate as the main market, absorbing over 62 per cent of Nigeria’s continental exports.
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, told Bloomberg that the trend underscores Nigeria’s role “as a hub for intra-continental trade and value chains,” adding that it signals “strengthening regional trade momentum.”
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), reviewed by Ecofin Agency, show that West Africa remains Nigeria’s largest African market.
READ ALSO:
-
Nigeria’s Cashew Exports to EU Surge 12%
-
Nigeria’s Cocoa Exports Jump 62% in 2025, Driving Agricultural Growth
-
Nigeria Records 21% Surge in Non-Oil Trade Exports
-
China’s Car Market Slows as Exports Surge to Record Levels
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bought goods worth N2.995 trillion, representing more than 62 per cent of Nigeria’s exports to Africa, a 16 per cent rise year-on-year. Fuel emerged as the most purchased Nigerian product by the regional bloc, totaling nearly N298 billion.
Despite the growth, exports to Africa accounted for only about 10 per cent of Nigeria’s total exports in H1 2025, estimated at N43.3 trillion. The continent ranked as Nigeria’s fourth-largest export destination, following Europe (N17.3 trillion), Asia (N14.1 trillion), and the Americas (N6.9 trillion).
Nigeria is taking steps to expand its trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These measures include tariff concessions and the launch in May 2025 of an air freight corridor to East Africa, expected to cut export costs to the region by 50 to 75 per cent.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
