Nigeria’s trade with African countries strengthened in the first half of 2025, with exports to the continent rising by 14 per cent to N4.82 trillion, reflecting renewed momentum in regional commerce and energy-led trade flows.
The export figure marks an increase from N4.21 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, according to trade data compiled from official sources.
West Africa remained Nigeria’s dominant export destination on the continent, accounting for more than 62 per cent of total African-bound shipments during the period.
Brandspur Banking News Desk reports that member states of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, imported goods worth N2.99 trillion from Nigeria in the first six months of 2025, representing a 16 per cent year-on-year growth and underscoring the region’s role as Nigeria’s strongest continental trade partner.
Fuel products topped Nigeria’s export basket to West Africa, with petroleum-related shipments valued at nearly N298 billion, reinforcing Nigeria’s continued reliance on energy exports within regional markets.
Speaking on the trend, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the figures reflect Nigeria’s growing position within Africa’s trade ecosystem, describing the country as a critical hub for intra-continental value chains and regional commerce.
Despite the increase, Africa accounted for just about 10 per cent of Nigeria’s total exports in the period, as the country’s overall exports were estimated at N43.3 trillion.
Europe remained Nigeria’s largest export destination with shipments valued at N17.3 trillion, followed by Asia at N14.1 trillion and the Americas at N6.9 trillion, placing Africa fourth in the country’s export ranking.
To expand its footprint under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, Nigeria has implemented targeted trade-boosting measures, including tariff concessions and logistics reforms aimed at reducing export bottlenecks.
In May 2025, the country launched a dedicated air freight corridor linking Nigeria to East Africa, a move expected to cut export logistics costs to the region by between 50 and 75 per cent, improving competitiveness for Nigerian goods.
Trade analysts say sustained infrastructure upgrades, export diversification, and AfCFTA implementation will be critical to increasing Africa’s share of Nigeria’s export earnings in the coming years.
