Nigeria’s Intra-African Trade Hits $9bn as AfCFTA and Policy Reforms Drive Growth
Nigeria’s trade with other African countries climbed to $9.02 billion in 2025, marking a significant increase from the $7.47 billion recorded the previous year. According to the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the growth was fueled by strategic policy reforms, improved trade infrastructure, and expanding opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The development highlights Nigeria’s growing influence in regional commerce and its commitment to strengthening economic ties across the continent.
In its Africa Trade Report 2026 titled “Leveraging Geopolitics for Trade and Industrialisation in Global Africa,” Afreximbank noted that Nigeria’s stronger integration into African markets was supported by better trade policies, enhanced logistics systems, and increased export activity. While crude oil remained the country’s leading export commodity within Africa, there was a notable rise in non-oil exports, including chemicals, plastics, rubber products, processed agricultural goods, food items, urea, and cement.
The report also credited recent policy milestones for accelerating trade growth. One of the most significant developments was the gazetting of Nigeria’s Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions in April, which allows Nigerian goods to enjoy preferential tariffs across AfCFTA member states. This move is expected to make locally produced goods more competitive, create new market opportunities for exporters, and encourage businesses to diversify beyond traditional international markets.
Beyond policy reforms, improved logistics infrastructure played a crucial role in boosting trade volumes. Afreximbank highlighted the introduction of a dedicated air cargo corridor linking Nigeria with East and Southern African markets, a move designed to reduce transportation costs and improve the movement of goods across borders. These initiatives are helping businesses access new markets more efficiently while supporting regional trade expansion.
Across the continent, intra-African trade grew by approximately 5.5 percent in 2025, driven by stronger implementation of AfCFTA, rising regional demand, and improved trade facilitation measures. Afreximbank noted a gradual shift from reliance on raw commodities to higher-value manufactured and semi-processed products, with emerging regional value chains in sectors such as agro-processing and cement production. While Nigeria’s economy benefited from higher oil output, improved investor confidence, and favorable fiscal policies that supported 4 percent growth, the bank stressed that deeper industrialisation and stronger regional integration remain essential for Africa to achieve its full economic potential.
source: Leadership