Nigeria’s Intra-African Trade Surges 14% to $3.13 Billion in First Half of 2025

Nigeria’s trade with African neighbors surged to 4.82 trillion naira (US$3.13 billion) in the first half of 2025, marking a robust 14 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Nigeria Customs Service. This impressive jump underscores Nigeria’s deepening economic integration across the continent and signals growing momentum in intra-African commerce.

Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi announced the figures at a conference in Abuja, highlighting a 610 billion naira (US$415 million) growth year-on-year. He credited this rise to enhanced collaboration with neighboring customs authorities, streamlined border procedures, and stronger alignment with regional trade frameworks.

This upward trajectory reinforces Nigeria’s strategic push to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to unlock the potential of a unified African market. By simplifying cross-border trade and harmonizing policies, Nigeria is positioning its exporters to capitalize on broader market access and increased competitiveness.

As Africa pursues greater economic integration, Nigeria’s trade growth exemplifies the tangible benefits of regional cooperation. For a nation long challenged by infrastructural bottlenecks and bureaucratic hurdles, these developments represent a promising step toward unlocking the continent’s vast commercial potential.