Nigeria non-oil exports hit $6.1bn in 2025, boosted by AfCFTA, AI adoption, and cocoa, cashew, and sesame sector growth

Nigeria’s non-oil export sector continues to accelerate, generating approximately $6.1 billion in 2025, up from $4.5 billion in 2024, according to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

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The growth is underpinned by strong performances in cocoa, sesame, urea, cashew, and manufactured products, signalling a structural shift in Nigeria’s trade landscape.

Beyond revenue figures, the sector is witnessing increased innovation and competitiveness, as Nigerian businesses integrate more deeply into regional and global value chains.

Analysts attribute the momentum to improved access to resources, the growing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and sector-specific enablers such as a new export air-cargo corridor to East and Southern Africa.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment reported several 2025 milestones strengthening export competitiveness, including the ratification of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, establishment of a central coordination committee, gazetting of provisional tariff concessions, and the completion of Nigeria’s first five-year AfCFTA implementation review.

Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a pivotal driver, supporting predictive quality control, smart logistics planning, and automated compliance checks.

Early adopters, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), are leveraging AI to improve product consistency, reduce rejection rates, and enhance market pricing.

Non-oil exports are also a major employment engine.

NEPC estimates that every $1 billion increase in exports can create 40,000–70,000 direct and indirect jobs across agro-processing, logistics, textiles, and professional services.

Financial institutions are increasingly supporting execution capability, with initiatives like the Sterling Bank Non-Oil Export Academy providing entrepreneurs with practical training across export readiness, pricing strategy, compliance, documentation, and logistics, integrating AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency.

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As AfCFTA implementation deepens and Nigerian firms expand into regional markets, the country is poised to convert its non-oil export potential into tangible economic growth, job creation, and foreign exchange stability.