The United States recorded a significant $1.45 billion goods trade surplus with Nigeria during the first ten months of 2025, reversing a $1.37 billion deficit from the same period in 2024, according to the latest data released by the US Census Bureau.
Between January and October 2025, US exports to Nigeria jumped to $5.94 billion — an increase of $2.23 billion, or 60.2%, compared with $3.71 billion in the corresponding period of 2024. Meanwhile, US imports from Nigeria fell to $4.49 billion, down $582 million or 11.5% from $5.07 billion the previous year.
The shift was particularly pronounced in October 2025, when the US posted a $162 million monthly surplus with Nigeria — up nearly 40% from September’s $116 million surplus. US exports that month reached $532 million while imports stood at $369 million. Year-on-year, October exports surged 80.3% ($237 million higher than October 2024), while imports declined 7.3% ($29 million lower).
The improvement was driven primarily by stronger US export performance rather than a collapse in Nigerian shipments, though the sharper drop in imports widened the surplus. Nigeria’s trade reversal has played an outsized role in reshaping US–Africa trade dynamics. Without Nigeria’s $1.447 billion year-to-date surplus, the US goods trade deficit with the African continent would have widened to approximately $5.18 billion — meaning Nigeria offset nearly 28% of the overall shortfall with the rest of Africa.
On a continental scale, the US exported $34.08 billion worth of goods to Africa in the first ten months of 2025 while importing $37.82 billion, resulting in a $3.74 billion deficit. Nigeria absorbed 17.4% of total US exports to Africa ($5.94 billion) and supplied 11.9% of US imports from the continent ($4.49 billion). In October alone, Nigeria accounted for 15.6% of US exports to Africa and 12.8% of imports, and contributed roughly 31% of the continent’s monthly US trade surplus.
The surge in US exports to Nigeria aligns with broader geopolitical and economic developments in 2025, including the Trump administration’s tariff policies, which have reshaped global trade flows. Analysts note that the sharp increase may reflect redirected US goods — particularly agricultural products, machinery, vehicles, and refined petroleum — finding stronger demand in the Nigerian market amid domestic supply constraints and currency stabilisation efforts.
For Nigeria, the trade flip offers a mixed picture. While reduced imports from the US help conserve foreign exchange reserves, the country’s heavy reliance on oil exports means its trade position with the US remains vulnerable to global crude prices and domestic production challenges.
The data underscores Nigeria’s growing importance in US–Africa trade relations and highlights how bilateral dynamics can significantly influence continental-level balances. As 2026 begins, both countries will be watching whether the momentum in US exports can be sustained and whether Nigeria can diversify its export base to narrow the overall trade gap with major partners.
