The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has announced a remarkable rise in the country?s non-oil export performance for the first half of 2025, reflecting the resilience of Nigerian exporters and the effectiveness of strategic government interventions.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, presented the Half-Year Progress Report, highlighting a 19.59% increase in export value compared to the same period in 2024.

According to Ayeni, Nigeria exported non-oil products worth US$3.225 billion between January and June 2025, up from US$2.696 billion recorded in the first half of 2024. Export volume also rose to 4.04 million metric tonnes, compared to 3.83 million metric tonnes in the previous year. This growth, she noted, is a direct result of increased global demand, improved product quality, and expanded market access facilitated by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

?This performance is a testament to the resilience of our exporters and the strategic interventions by the Council, in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?s Renewed Hope Agenda,? Ayeni stated. She also commended the unwavering support of the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, whose leadership has been instrumental in driving the diversification of Nigeria?s economy.

Top Export Products and Value

The report revealed that Cocoa Beans remained Nigeria?s leading non-oil export commodity, accounting for 34.88% of total export value, up from 23.18% in 2024. Urea/Fertilizer followed with 17.65%, while Cashew Nuts ranked third at 12.35%, showing significant growth from 8.62% in the previous year. Cocoa and its derivatives - including butter, liquor, and cake - collectively contributed 41.11% of total export value, underscoring the country?s progress in value-added exports.

Ayeni emphasized that this shift toward processed and semi-processed goods is driven by investments in agro-processing, improved product standards, and access to premium markets such as the Netherlands and Germany.

Leading Exporters and Banks

Among the top-performing export companies, Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemical Limited led with 11.92% of total export value, followed by Starlink Global & Ideal Limited with 8.82%, and Dangote Fertilizer Limited with 6.39%. These companies continue to play a pivotal role in boosting Nigeria?s export earnings, particularly in fertilizer and cocoa products.

29 banks facilitated export transactions during the period with Zenith Bank Plc topping the list having processed 31.98% of all Non-oil Export Proceeds (NXPs), followed by First Bank Nigeria Plc with 12.44%, and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc with 11.47%. Ayeni praised the banking sector?s role in supporting exporters and ensuring seamless trade finance operations.

Export Destinations and African Trade

Nigerian products reached markets across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The top three destinations by export value were the Netherlands (18.64%), the United States (8.42%), and India (8.36%) reflecting Nigeria?s growing global footprint and competitiveness in international trade.

Within Africa, Nigeria exported 662,993.00 metric tonnes to 11 ECOWAS countries valued at US$139.242 million and 488,499.44 metric tonnes worth US$83.538 million to 21 African countries outside ECOWAS. This marks a notable increase from 2024 and reinforces the strategic importance of AfCFTA in boosting intra-African trade.

Exit Points and Logistics

A total of 18 exit points were utilized for non-oil exports, comprising 8 seaports, 3 international airports, and 7 land borders. Notably, 94.15% of exports were routed through seaports, highlighting the critical role of maritime infrastructure in Nigeria?s export logistics.

Capacity Building and Value Addition

In her speech, Nonye Ayeni highlighted NEPC?s commitment to strengthening the export ecosystem through extensive capacity-building initiatives. In the first half of 2025, the Council organized 252 training programmes, reaching 27,352 participants across Nigeria. These sessions covered export documentation, quality standards, packaging, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

Additionally, NEPC implemented the ?Go Global, Go for Certification? programme, providing FDA and HACCP certifications to 200 SMEs at no cost. This initiative has significantly improved export readiness and reduced product rejection rates in international markets.

Support for Farmers and MSMEs

As part of its Corporate Social Investment, NEPC distributed 23,239 hybrid high yielding seedlings to 3,047 farmers nationwide. These included cocoa, sesame, and oil palm seedlings, aimed at enhancing the quality and quantity of exportable produce. The South West zone received the highest allocation with 8,687 seedlings, followed by the South South with 7,500.

Ayeni noted that this intervention has boosted agricultural productivity and positioned farmers to meet global standards.

Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships

The Council also revived the Zero2Export Training Programme for new exporters and launched the Export Mentorship Programme (EMP), which trained 150 participants and paired 60 SMEs with top-performing exporters.

Additionally, NEPC?s collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and International Trade Centre (ITC) under the STDF 845 project has led to improved standards for sesame seed and cowpea, reducing export rejections and promoting Good Agricultural Practices.

Furthermore, in the period under review, NEPC was selected as a pilot beneficiary of the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) fund, the only African organization among four global recipients. The fund, launched by WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will support women-led businesses in digital trade.

Conclusion

In closing, Ayeni reaffirmed NEPC?s dedication to driving non-oil export growth in line with President Tinubu?s Renewed Hope Agenda. She acknowledged the support of Minister Jumoke Oduwole and commended the press for their role in promoting Nigeria?s export success.

?At NEPC, we remain resolute in our mission to increase the volume and value of non-oil exports for sustainable and inclusive economic growth,? Ayeni concluded.

The Council?s achievements in the first half of 2025 signal a promising trajectory for Nigeria?s export diversification and global trade competitiveness.

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