Nigeria’s non-oil export sector experienced remarkable growth in the first half of 2025, achieving a total value of $3.225 billion. This represents a substantial 19.59% increase compared to the $2.696 billion recorded during the same period in 2024. This surge in export earnings was accompanied by a parallel increase in export volume, reaching 4.04 million metric tonnes, up from 3.83 million metric tonnes in the first half of 2024. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) attributed this positive trajectory to a confluence of factors, including heightened global demand for Nigerian commodities, particularly from emerging markets like India, Brazil, Vietnam, and other African nations. The NEPC’s strategic interventions, such as capacity-building initiatives focusing on quality enhancement, standards compliance, packaging, labeling, export documentation, and certification, also played a crucial role in bolstering export performance.
A detailed breakdown of the first-half performance reveals robust growth across key indicators. The first quarter of 2025 alone witnessed non-oil exports worth $1.791 billion, marking a significant 24.75% leap from the $1.436 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024. Export volumes during the same quarter also exhibited a healthy uptick, reaching 2.416 million metric tonnes, a 24.3% increase from the 1.937 million metric tonnes shipped in the first quarter of 2024. The NEPC emphasized the expanding global appetite for Nigerian products, including cocoa, sesame, cashew, and aluminum, as a primary driver of this growth. Furthermore, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has facilitated wider market access and offered tariff relief, contributing significantly to the positive momentum.
The composition of Nigeria’s non-oil export basket also underwent noteworthy changes. In the first half of 2025, Nigeria exported 236 distinct products, a 16.83% increase compared to the 202 products exported during the same period in 2024. This diversification reflects a gradual shift away from traditional agricultural exports towards semi-processed and manufactured goods. Cocoa beans retained their position as the leading export commodity, commanding a 34.88% share of the total export value, up from 23.18% in 2024. Urea/fertilizer secured the second spot with a 17.65% share, followed by cashew nuts at 12.35% and sesame seeds at 4.23%. This diversification underscores the growing sophistication of Nigeria’s export sector and its increasing ability to offer value-added products to the global market.
The NEPC’s report also highlighted the key players driving export growth. Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemical Limited emerged as the top exporter, contributing 11.92% of the total export value, followed by Starlink Global & Ideal Limited with 8.82% and Dangote Fertilizer Limited with 6.39%. These companies represent the leading edge of Nigeria’s non-oil export sector, demonstrating the potential for significant growth and contribution to the national economy. Regional trade within Africa also played a significant role, with Nigeria exporting 663 million metric tonnes of goods to 11 ECOWAS countries and 488 million metric tonnes worth $83.54 million to 21 other African countries outside ECOWAS. This underscores the importance of intra-African trade for Nigeria’s economic development and the potential for further expansion through initiatives like the AfCFTA.
Beyond the specific export figures, the NEPC highlighted its proactive initiatives to support and enhance the non-oil export sector. The council distributed 23,239 hybrid seedlings and other essential farm inputs to 3,047 farmers nationwide, focusing on cocoa, sesame, and oil palm cultivation. This initiative aimed to improve the quality and increase the production of these key export commodities, thereby contributing to sustainable growth in the sector. The NEPC also emphasized its commitment to capacity building programs focusing on quality and standards, packaging and labeling, export documentation, and certifications. These initiatives are designed to equip Nigerian exporters with the necessary skills and knowledge to compete effectively in the global marketplace.
Looking ahead, the NEPC expressed optimism about the future prospects of Nigeria’s non-oil export sector. With continued policy support, improved infrastructure, and enhanced access to financing, the council believes that Nigeria has the potential to surpass its current non-oil export record by the end of 2025. The NEPC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Nigerian products compete favorably on the global stage, thereby contributing to job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic growth. The remarkable growth witnessed in the first half of 2025 serves as a testament to the sector’s resilience and potential, laying a strong foundation for continued expansion and diversification in the years to come.
