Nigeria’s economy is showing renewed strength on the back of rising non-oil exports, with new data revealing significant gains despite persistent concerns over domestic food prices.

Figures for the first half of 2025 indicate that non-oil exports rose by nearly 20 percent, reaching $3.225 billion, with more than 197 Nigerian products now finding their way to markets across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Key export leaders include cocoa, fertilizer, and cashew nuts, underscoring Nigeria’s push to diversify its economy beyond crude oil.

According to Dr. Bamidele Ayemibo, Board Chair of the Institute of Export and International Trade, the shift represents a turning point. “Nigeria’s exports now outweigh imports… the trajectory looks very positive with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council’s (NEPC) ‘Double Your Export’ initiative,” he said.

Several government-backed initiatives are credited with driving this momentum. These include NEPC’s export credit programmes, the “Project Earn from the Soil” agricultural initiative, and preparations for the National Single Window Project, set to be launched in 2026 to streamline trade processes. The country has also recorded a 223 percent surge in regional exports through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, highlighting the importance of regional integration.

International bodies such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have acknowledged these developments, noting that Nigeria’s export expansion is contributing to trade surpluses and greater macroeconomic stability.

While inflation and food prices remain top-of-mind for many Nigerians, analysts suggest that the quieter story of export-led growth could reshape the country’s economic outlook. For stakeholders in trade and development, the growing activity at ports like Apapa reflects a transformation that is positioning Nigeria as a stronger player in regional and global markets.