Nigeria’s trade with other African countries grew significantly in 2025, reaching $9.02 billion from $7.47 billion recorded in 2024, according to the African Trade Report 2026 released by Afreximbank.

The 21 per cent increase highlights the growing impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in expanding market access for Nigerian exporters and strengthening regional economic integration across the continent.

Afreximbank attributed the growth to Nigeria’s increased focus on intra-African trade and deliberate efforts to leverage opportunities provided by the AfCFTA to reduce trade barriers and broaden export destinations.

The report noted that crude oil remained Nigeria’s leading export to African markets. However, the country’s export portfolio is becoming increasingly diversified, with rising exports of chemicals, plastics, rubber products, processed agricultural goods, food products, urea, and cement.

The development aligns with Nigeria’s broader strategy of reducing dependence on traditional export markets outside Africa while positioning local industries to benefit from the continent’s growing consumer base.

According to the report, Nigeria recorded notable progress in implementing AfCFTA initiatives during the year.

“Elsewhere in West Africa, the value of Nigeria’s trade with the continent grew from $7.47 billion to $9.02 billion. Crude oil was a dominant feature in Nigeria’s exports to Africa. Other key exports included non-oil manufactured goods such as chemicals, plastics, and rubber products, processed agricultural goods and foodstuffs, urea, and cement,” the report stated.

Afreximbank further noted that Nigeria intensified efforts to boost trade with African partners through policies aimed at lowering trade costs and improving market access for domestic exporters.

Among the major milestones recorded was the gazetting of Nigeria’s Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions in April 2025. The move enabled Nigerian products to qualify for preferential tariff treatment across AfCFTA member states while granting reciprocal access to imports from participating African countries.

The report also highlighted the introduction of new logistics initiatives, including a dedicated air cargo corridor connecting Nigeria to East and Southern Africa, which is helping to reduce transportation costs and improve the efficiency of intra-African trade.

Analysts believe the continued implementation of AfCFTA reforms and trade facilitation measures could further strengthen Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading trading nations and accelerate the growth of non-oil exports across the continent.