Nigeria’s Non-Oil Exports Surges $3.23bn in First Half of 2025 — NEPC

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has reported a 19.59 percent surge in non-oil exports, reaching $3.225 billion in the first half of 2025, compared to $2.66 billion in the same period last year.

Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, attributed the growth to rising global demand for Nigerian commodities, expanded market opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and targeted export intervention programmes.

“We have seen stronger international appetite for our commodities, supported by deliberate efforts to open new markets and enhance product competitiveness,” Ayeni said. “Our interventions are yielding results, and we are committed to sustaining this momentum.”

Export volumes also grew to 4.04 million metric tonnes, up from 3.83 million metric tonnes in the first half of 2024.

According to the council’s half-year performance report, cocoa beans retained its position as Nigeria’s top non-oil export, contributing 34.88 percent of total export value, a sharp rise from 23.18 percent in 2024. Urea and fertiliser ranked second at 17.65 percent, followed by cashew nuts (12.35 percent) and sesame seeds (4.23 percent).

Ayeni noted that value-added cocoa products, such as cocoa butter and cake, recorded strong demand in premium markets including the Netherlands and Germany.

She attributed this to improved local processing capacity and adherence to global quality standards.

A total of 236 different products were exported during the review period, representing a 16.8 percent increase from the 216 products shipped in the first half of 2024.

These exports spanned agricultural commodities, manufactured goods, and semi-processed products, signalling what Ayeni described as “a gradual but steady shift from raw commodity exports to higher-value goods.”

Indorama Energy and Fertiliser Limited emerged as the top exporter with 11.9 percent of total export value, followed by Sally Oil and Hygiene Limited (8.82 percent) and Dangote Fertiliser Limited (6.39 percent).

The Netherlands, the United States, and India were the top three destinations for Nigerian non-oil exports, accounting for 18.64 percent, 8.40 percent, and 8.36 percent of total value respectively.

The NEPC boss also highlighted the Council’s capacity-building efforts to enhance export readiness. These include 256 training programmes for over 27,000 participants nationwide, international certification support for 200 exporters, and initiatives to integrate small businesses into e-commerce platforms.

She further announced that women-led exporters will benefit from a new grant set to be launched on August 14, 2025, by World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole.

“Our focus going forward is to strengthen value chains, empower SMEs, and expand Nigeria’s footprint in global markets,” Ayeni affirmed.

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