Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export Push Shifts to Execution as Farmers Eye New Opportunities

News in brief:

-Nigeria’s non-oil export strategy is shifting from policy to execution, with stakeholders emphasising that the real challenge is converting market access into actual trade.

-For farmers and agribusinesses, this means focusing on production, quality, and value addition to fully tap into growing export opportunities.

Nigeria’s drive to expand non-oil exports is entering a new phase, with stakeholders calling for a shift from policy discussions to real execution—an approach that could unlock major opportunities for farmers and agribusiness owners.

This formed the focus of a high-level engagement led by Sand Mba Kalu of the Africa International Trade & Commerce Research (AITCR), where industry players examined how to improve market access and competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

A key takeaway from the session was that Nigeria’s export challenge is no longer access to markets—but the ability to convert opportunities into actual trade. For farmers and agribusinesses, this means the problem is less about finding buyers abroad and more about meeting quality standards, scaling production, and navigating export processes effectively.

From Opportunity to Execution

Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) underscores the scale of the opportunity. Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose significantly to ₦12.36 trillion in 2025, up from ₦9.09 trillion in 2024, reflecting growing demand for agricultural and other non-oil products.

Agricultural commodities such as cocoa, sesame seeds, and processed food products continue to play a key role in export earnings. However, fluctuating export performance and rising imports—especially of wheat, soybean oil, and fish—highlight gaps in local production and value addition.

For agribusiness operators, the message is clear: increasing production alone is not enough. There is a growing need to invest in processing, improve product quality, and meet international standards to compete effectively in regional and global markets.

Stakeholders at the AITCR session also emphasised the importance of better coordination among institutions and stronger support systems to help small and medium-scale exporters participate in cross-border trade. Access to financing, logistics, and market intelligence remain critical barriers that must be addressed.

As Nigeria aligns policy with performance, farmers and agribusinesses that can adapt quickly—by improving productivity, embracing value addition, and leveraging trade frameworks—stand to benefit the most from the country’s evolving export landscape.