Nigeria’s trade with other African nations surged by ₦610bn in the first half of 2025, reaching ₦4.82tn compared to ₦4.21tn in the same period last year, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The growth was largely driven by higher exports, which rose to ₦4.82tn from ₦4.21tn, while imports increased to ₦1.82tn from ₦1.13tn. This resulted in a trade surplus of ₦2.99tn, only slightly below ₦3.08tn recorded in 2024.
A strong rebound in Q2 2025,when trade jumped to ₦2.97tn from ₦1.98tn in Q2 2024 helped offset earlier declines in Q1. However, in dollar terms, total trade stood at just $3.13bn, up slightly from $2.89bn last year but still below pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the steep depreciation of the naira.
Despite the currency’s weakness, Nigeria remains a net exporter within Africa, mainly due to crude oil and related products.
The rise in intra-African trade contrasts sharply with declining trade with the U.S., where Nigerian exports fell by 41% in July 2025 from $639m to $379m following tariff hikes under President Donald Trump’s new trade policy.
Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the country would remain focused on diversification and expanding market access across Africa, rather than retaliating against U.S. trade restrictions.
