Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose to $3.225 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 19.59 per cent increase from the $2.696 billion recorded during the same period in 2024, according to fresh data from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed the figures in Abuja on Sunday while presenting the council’s First Half-Year Progress Report on the nation’s non-oil export performance. She said the growth was fuelled by robust global demand for Nigerian agricultural and manufactured goods, particularly in emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Vietnam, and across other African countries.
The data also revealed that shipment volumes climbed to 4.04 million metric tonnes, up from 3.83 million metric tonnes in H1 2024. This expansion reflects increasing market penetration for Nigerian products and improved supply chain efficiency.
“I am pleased to inform you that non-oil products exported in the first half of 2025 were valued at $3.225bn. This shows an increase of 19.59 per cent as against the sum of $2.696bn recorded for the first half of the year 2024,” Ayeni stated.
Breaking down the half-year performance, Ayeni noted that Q1 2025 exports alone were valued at $1.791 billion, a 24.75 per cent increase over the $1.436 billion posted in the corresponding quarter of 2024. Volumes in Q1 also surged to 2.416 million metric tonnes, up 24.3 per cent from the 1.937 million metric tonnes shipped in Q1 2024.
According to the NEPC boss, these results underline the resilience and potential of Nigeria’s non-oil sector as a driver of economic diversification and foreign exchange stability.
Market analysts attribute the growth to rising exports of sesame seeds, cocoa beans, cashew nuts, ginger, hibiscus, leather goods, and manufactured products such as cement and processed foods. The implementation of AfCFTA agreements and improved access to emerging markets have also contributed to demand growth.
India maintained its position as a top importer of Nigerian non-oil goods, with significant orders also coming from Vietnam and Brazil. Meanwhile, intra-African trade received a boost through regional integration policies and reduced trade barriers.
Ayeni said the NEPC is intensifying its export expansion strategy through targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), capacity-building programmes for exporters, and promotion of value addition in raw commodities.
She emphasised the need for sustained investment in logistics infrastructure, efficient port operations, and compliance with international quality standards to strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.
With oil revenues facing volatility due to fluctuating global prices, the Federal Government has been prioritising the growth of non-oil exports as part of its economic diversification agenda. The sector is seen as a crucial source of foreign exchange earnings, job creation, and rural development.
Dr. Peter Onwualu, a trade policy expert, said the NEPC’s report was encouraging, but stressed that Nigeria must move beyond raw commodity exports.
“To fully unlock the sector’s potential, we must focus on value-added exports, agro-processing, and industrial manufacturing. That’s how we can significantly increase export revenue and reduce vulnerability to global price shocks,” he noted.
Ayeni expressed optimism that the country is on track to surpass its 2024 full-year non-oil export value if the current growth momentum continues. She said the NEPC will continue to deepen partnerships with private sector players and foreign trade partners while working with government agencies to remove bottlenecks affecting exporters.
The council also plans to leverage Nigeria’s growing participation in regional trade blocs and expand its footprint in high-growth markets in Asia, the Middle East, and South America.