Nigeria’s non-oil exports reached $3.225 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 19.59% increase from $2.696 billion in the same period of 2024, according to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). The announcement was made by NEPC Director-General Nonye Ayeni during a media briefing in Abuja on Sunday, presenting the council’s H1 2025 Non-Oil Export Performance report.
Ayeni highlighted a significant rise in export volume to 4.04 million metric tonnes, up 5.48% from 3.83 million metric tonnes in H1 2024. The first quarter alone saw exports valued at $1.791 billion, a 24.75% jump from $1.436 billion in Q1 2024, with volumes increasing 24.3% to 2.416 million metric tonnes. A total of 236 distinct products were exported, reflecting a 16.83% rise from 202 products in H1 2024, signaling growing diversification.
Cocoa beans led the top 20 exported products, accounting for 34.88% of total export value, up from 23.18% in 2024, followed by urea/fertilizer at 17.65%, compared to 13.78% last year. The shift from traditional agricultural exports to semi-manufactured products underscores Nigeria’s evolving export landscape, driven by rising demand from emerging markets like India, Brazil, Vietnam, and African nations.
Ayeni credited the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for enhancing market access and tariff relief, alongside NEPC’s initiatives in capacity building, packaging, labeling, and export documentation. “Our programs have boosted visibility for Nigerian products globally, with exporters increasingly adding value to their goods,” she said. These efforts have improved earnings and supported the diversification of Nigeria’s non-oil export base.
The NEPC’s collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to sustain this growth trajectory. Despite challenges like global oil price volatility, with crude dropping to $66 per barrel, Ayeni emphasized the council’s commitment to working with stakeholders to increase both the volume and value of non-oil exports, reinforcing Nigeria’s position in global trade.
