Nigeria’s $6.1bn Non-Oil Boom: Netherlands Leads as ECOWAS Shrinks

Nigeria’s $6.1bn Non-Oil Boom: Netherlands Leads as ECOWAS Shrinks

By Linda Ike

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has announced that Nigeria’s non-oil exports hit a record US$6.1 billion in 2025, up 11.5% from $5.46 billion in 2024.

NEPC Executive Director/CEO Nonye Ayeni disclosed this Monday at a press briefing in Abuja on 2025 performance and 2026 outlook.

She said the milestone, formal trade’s highest since NEPC’s inception, covered 8.02 million metric tonnes up 10%, spanning 281 products like cocoa, urea, and cashew nuts to 120 countries.

She further said that Netherlands topped destinations at 17.53% $1.07bn, followed by Brazil 10.35%, $630m and India 7.63%, $464m. Exports to Netherlands surged 32.46%, driven by cocoa beans, butter, and sesame seeds.

“Top products are cocoa beans 32.76%, $1.99bn, urea 21.19%, $1.29bn, cashew nuts 7.51%, $457m.

“Intra-African trade hit 36 countries, though ECOWAS exports fell 13% to $271m after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s exit.
Indorama Eleme Fertilizer (13.13%) and Dangote Fertilizer (8.41%) led companies” She stated.

Ayeni credited President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, plus NEPC’s 728 capacity programs for 96,221 participants, 210 SME certifications, and STDF 845 reject reductions, highlighting Kebbi sesame cluster for 250 farmers, 500 hectares, ESAC training 1,000 youths, 70 SMEs on Jumia.

She said NEPC hosted trade missions, won Best Pavilion at IATF 2025 ($110m orders), and secured Nigeria as 2027 host.

Women-led firms gained via WEIDE Fund 146 businesses, grants up to $30,000 while banks processed 19,975 NXPs, led by Zenith 32.31%.

Ayeni maintained that NEPC eyes further gains through clusters, reject curbs, informal trade mainstreaming, value addition, and UAE CEPA tariff cuts on 7,315 products.