Nigeria exported 663M tonnes of non-oil goods to ECOWAS in H1 2025

Nigeria has marked a significant milestone in its journey toward economic diversification, reporting a total of 663 million metric tonnes of non-oil products exported to 11 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the first half of 2025. This impressive figure, announced by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), underscores the nation’s rising prominence in regional trade and its deliberate effort to reduce its historical reliance on crude oil. The half-year report serves as a powerful testament to the strategic initiatives being implemented by both public and private sectors to boost non-oil exports and unlock new avenues for sustainable economic growth.

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The ECOWAS Trade Boom: A Pillar of Nigeria’s Strategy

The statistic of 663 million metric tonnes of products exported to ECOWAS nations is more than just a number; it represents a thriving network of regional commerce and a strategic pivot in Nigeria’s trade policy. The ECOWAS bloc, established in 1975, aims to promote economic integration across West Africa. For Nigeria, this means an accessible market of over 300 million people right on its doorstep, making it a natural and vital partner for trade expansion.

The types of products fueling this export boom are diverse and reflect Nigeria’s rich agricultural and industrial base. While specific commodities are not detailed in the report, it is well-known that Nigeria’s non-oil exports include a range of items. Agricultural products are a significant component, with items like cocoa beans, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, and spices finding strong demand across the region. Additionally, processed goods and manufactured products are gaining traction. This includes fertilisers, rubber, leather goods, and even packaged food products that are increasingly competitive in the West African market. The massive volume of exports in H1 2025 suggests a robust and growing demand for these Nigerian-made goods, facilitated by improved trade agreements and logistical efficiencies within the ECOWAS framework.

The NEPC report highlights that this figure represents a significant increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth is not accidental but is a direct result of concerted efforts to streamline export processes, enhance product quality, and actively seek out new market opportunities. For Nigerian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), trading within ECOWAS is often less complex than exporting to markets in Europe or North America, with fewer regulatory hurdles and lower transportation costs. This regional focus acts as a crucial stepping stone, allowing businesses to scale up before attempting to compete on a global stage. The success within ECOWAS is therefore a critical indicator of the health and potential of Nigeria’s broader export sector.

Expanding Horizons: Beyond the West African Bloc

While the focus on ECOWAS is central to Nigeria’s trade strategy, the NEPC report also shed light on the nation’s growing footprint across the entire continent. The report noted that Nigeria exported 488 million metric tonnes of products, valued at $83.538 million, to 21 African countries outside of the ECOWAS bloc. This performance marks a commendable 2.59% increase in total export value, surpassing the 1.96% recorded during the same period in 2024.

This success beyond West Africa is a direct testament to the strategic importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Launched in 2018, the AfCFTA is the world’s largest free-trade area by the number of countries, with the ambitious goal of creating a single market for goods and services across Africa. By dismantling trade barriers and streamlining customs procedures, the AfCFTA aims to unlock the continent’s economic potential and foster greater intra-African trade. As Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Director-General of the NEPC, aptly stated, “The AfCFTA holds the key to intra-African trade.”

Nigeria’s active participation in this framework is crucial for its economic future. The AfCFTA provides Nigerian businesses with access to a vast and diverse market of 1.3 billion people, offering a significant opportunity for growth and diversification. For Nigerian exporters, this means the potential to sell their products in countries like Kenya, South Africa, or Egypt with fewer tariffs and less bureaucracy. The framework is particularly beneficial for SMEs, which often lack the resources to navigate complex international trade regulations. By participating in the AfCFTA, Nigeria is not just increasing its export numbers; it is actively positioning itself as a regional trade hub and a key player in Africa’s economic renaissance.

The Engine of Export: Key Players and Infrastructure

Nigeria’s export success is a collaborative effort, driven by a combination of key private sector players, supportive financial institutions, and a robust logistical framework. The NEPC report provides valuable insight into the roles of these different components.

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Leading Exporters

Among Nigeria’s top export companies, Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemical Ltd and Starlink Global and Ideal Ltd retained their leadership positions. Indorama, a major player in the petrochemical industry, contributed 11.92% of the total non-oil export volume. The company’s success in exporting fertilisers and other chemical products highlights the growing importance of industrial goods in Nigeria’s export basket. Starlink Global, a major exporter of agricultural commodities like cashew nuts and sesame seeds, contributed 8.82%. Their strong performance underscores the continued dominance of agricultural products in the non-oil export sector and the high demand for Nigeria’s raw materials in the global market.

Financial Institutions

The role of financial institutions in facilitating this trade cannot be overstated. The report revealed that 29 banks were involved in export transactions during the period, with a total of 10,214 Nigeria Export Proceed Forms (NXPs) processed. The NXP is a mandatory document that exporters must complete for all non-oil exports, and its processing is a critical step in the export chain. Zenith Bank Plc led the sector by handling an impressive 31.98% of the total NXPs, showcasing its dominant role in export finance. Other leading institutions, such as First Bank Nigeria Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, followed with 12.44% and 11.47% respectively. The active involvement of these banks in processing export forms and providing financial services to exporters is a cornerstone of the country’s trade ecosystem.

Export Infrastructure

The efficiency of Nigeria’s export infrastructure is another critical factor. The NEPC noted that 18 exit points were utilized, including eight seaports, three international airports, and seven land borders. The overwhelming majority of exports, a staggering 94.15% of the total traffic, passed through seaports. This figure reaffirms the critical role of seaports as the primary arteries of Nigeria’s export logistics. While seaports are the dominant channels, the utilization of airports and land borders for a portion of exports indicates a multi-modal approach to trade logistics. However, the dominance of seaports also highlights the need for continued investment in improving the efficiency of land borders and airports to create a more balanced and resilient export network.

Fostering Sustainability: Capacity Building and Best Practices

To ensure that Nigeria’s export growth is not only significant but also sustainable, the NEPC has been heavily invested in enhancing the skills and knowledge of local businesses. During the first half of 2025, the council conducted over 252 capacity-building programs, reaching a total of 27,352 participants nationwide. These programs are designed to equip exporters with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of international trade and meet global standards.

The training sessions cover a wide range of critical topics, including export documentation, procedures, and standards. These are fundamental aspects of international trade that, if not handled correctly, can lead to delays, penalties, and a loss of market access. The NEPC’s focus on these areas ensures that Nigerian exporters are prepared to meet the demands of international buyers.

Beyond these foundational topics, the council also carried out training in a number of other key areas:

• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): This ensures that agricultural products are produced safely and sustainably, which is a key requirement for markets in Europe and beyond.
• Good Warehousing Practice (GWP): This focuses on proper storage and handling of goods to maintain quality and prevent spoilage, ensuring that products arrive at their destination in perfect condition.
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP): For processed and manufactured goods, GMP ensures that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards, a crucial factor for building brand reputation and customer trust.
• Packaging and Labelling: This training is essential for ensuring that products are packaged and labelled correctly, in compliance with the regulations of the destination country.

This investment in human capital is a forward-thinking strategy. By empowering local businesses and individuals with the knowledge and skills to produce high-quality, compliant products, the NEPC is laying the groundwork for a future where Nigeria is not just a source of raw materials but a hub for value-added goods.

Conclusion: A New Era for Nigeria’s Non-Oil Economy

The NEPC’s half-year report for 2025 paints an optimistic picture of Nigeria’s economic direction. The significant growth in non-oil exports, particularly to regional partners within ECOWAS and the broader African continent, demonstrates that the nation’s diversification efforts are yielding tangible results. The success is a product of strategic policy, the dynamism of key private sector players, and a dedicated effort to improve infrastructure and build human capacity.

The figures from the report are a strong indicator that Nigeria is on a path to becoming a regional economic powerhouse, with its trade footprint expanding across Africa and beyond. However, to sustain this momentum, continued investment in infrastructure, a focus on improving the business environment, and a firm commitment to regional trade agreements like AfCFTA will be essential. The journey to a fully diversified economy is a long one, but the first half of 2025 shows that Nigeria is making impressive strides and is well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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photo source: Google

By: Montel Kamau

Serrari Financial Analyst

11th August, 2025