Business | January 14, 2026 | By Adeola Nkrumah
Nigeria has recorded a remarkable leap in its non-oil export sector, with earnings rising by 21% to $12.8 billion in the first half of 2025, nearly double the government’s $6.5 billion target. This performance contributed to a ₦12 trillion trade surplus, underscoring the success of ongoing reforms aimed at diversifying the economy.
The growth was driven by the Federal Government’s targeted trade policies, streamlined export processes, and increased value addition across key sectors. Overall trade value expanded by 14%, with expectations of further gains as logistics infrastructure and facilitation reforms continue to mature.
Key Export Commodities
Nigeria’s leading non-oil exports included:
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Cocoa and derivatives (butter, powder)
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Sesame seeds
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Cashew nuts
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Shea butter
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Ginger
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Hibiscus flower
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Rubber
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Palm oil derivatives
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Fertilisers
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Cement and clinker
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Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Policy Review and Achievements
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment highlighted these gains in its report, “2025: A Defining Year for Nigeria’s Industry, Trade and Investment”, which assessed economic repositioning under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the Ministry, 2025 marked a turning point in Nigeria’s industrial and trade landscape, delivering reforms that deepened industrial capacity, expanded exports, and restored investor confidence.
“Non-oil exports grew by 21 per cent, reaching $12.8 billion in H1 2025, nearly double the $6.5 billion target and contributing to a ₦12 trillion trade surplus,” the review stated.
Strengthening Export Capacity
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27,352 exporters trained and 200 MSMEs certified for international trade.
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Support for 3,047 farmers through hybrid seedling distribution.
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Women Export Fund attracted 67,000 applications, awarding grants to 146 women-led enterprises.
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Special Economic Zones generated $500 million in export revenues and created 20,000 direct jobs.
Driving Continental Trade
Nigeria advanced the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), becoming Co-Champion of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade alongside Kenya and South Africa. The country also gazetted its Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions, enabling duty-free trade on 90% of goods across Africa.
Major initiatives included:
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Launch of a dedicated Exports Air Cargo Corridor to East and Southern Africa, cutting logistics costs by up to 75%.
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Publication of a Market Intelligence Tool covering cosmetics, agro-processed products, and textiles across 13 African markets.
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Hosting rights secured for key continental platforms such as the AfCFTA Digital Forum, Creative Africa Nexus 2026, and the Intra-African Trade Fair 2027.
Investment Attraction
The Ministry also reported progress in investment attraction, with four priority projects valued at $13.7 billion advancing to late stages. This represents a conversion rate of over 25% from $50.8 billion in signed MoUs, signalling Nigeria’s readiness for global business opportunities.
