Nigeria Achieves Record $6.1B in Non-Oil Exports, Fueled by Cocoa and Fertilizer
Nigeria’s non-oil export sector reached historic highs in 2025, recording $6.1 billion in earnings, an 11.5% increase from 2024, according to data from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
Record-Breaking Non-Oil Export Performance in 2025
The NEPC announced the results at a press briefing in Abuja on January 19, highlighting the country’s most significant formally documented non-oil export figures to date. Export volumes also jumped 10%, reaching 8.02 million metric tons, compared to 7.29 million metric tons in 2024.
Cocoa and its derivatives led the charge, with cocoa beans alone accounting for $1.99 billion in export value. Other top-earning commodities included urea ($1.29 billion), cashew nuts ($456.9 million), and sesame seeds ($300.3 million). This surge underscores a strategic shift toward value-added processing, aligning with Nigeria’s broader economic diversification goals.
Global and Regional Trade Dynamics
In 2025, Nigeria exported to 120 countries globally, with the Netherlands taking the top spot, accounting for 17.53% of total exports—a 32.46% rise driven by demand for cocoa, sesame seeds, and other commodities. The top 10 destinations also included Brazil, India, the United States, and China.
Within Africa, Nigeria exported to 36 countries, generating $478.2 million in ECOWAS markets. However, export receipts from ECOWAS nations dipped by 13.08% due to geopolitical disruptions in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Structural Reforms and Industry Support
The NEPC credited the sector’s success to structural reforms, capacity-building programs, and policy alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. In 2025, 728 capacity-building initiatives trained over 96,000 participants, while 210 additional SMEs secured international certifications. The establishment of production clusters and partnerships with digital platforms like Jumia further strengthened SME contributions.
Fertilizer manufacturing emerged as a dominant sector, with Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemical leading exports at 13.13% of total value, followed by Dangote Fertilizer and Starlink Global & Ideal. Zenith Bank processed the highest share of export documentation forms, capturing 32.31% of non-oil export transactions.
2026 Outlook: New Markets and Opportunities
NEPC projects continued growth in 2026, bolstered by the Nigeria–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which eliminates tariffs on over 7,000 products. Enhanced export capacity, expanded production clusters, and reduced market barriers are expected to drive even higher revenues. “At NEPC, we remain committed to growing the non-oil export sector for inclusive economic development,” said NEPC CEO Nonye Ayeni.
How will Nigeria leverage its growing non-oil trade momentum to secure a sustainable and diversified economy? Stay updated for further analysis.
