The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is encouraging agro-exporters to tap into the European Union’s vast consumer market of over 400 million people. Despite a $21.87 billion trade volume between Nigeria and the EU in 2024, non-oil exports account for only 10% of total trade. NEPC’s Executive Director and CEO, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, highlighted this as a significant opportunity to expand Nigeria’s non-oil export footprint, especially with the EU being one of Nigeria’s key trade partners, accounting for 26% of total trade.
Key exports include cocoa, oilseeds, agricultural produce, fish, seafood, rubber, leather, and wood. Ayeni emphasized that global trade is now driven by standards, regulations, and sustainability, and Nigeria can benefit from adding value to its agricultural products like cocoa, sesame, and ginger, creating jobs and boosting economic diversification.¹