By Vivian Emoni
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says it is targeting effective, sustained growth in non-oil exports in 2026, citing reforms, market expansion and strengthened exporter development initiatives.
Mrs Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director of NEPC said this at a news conference on the 2025 Non-Oil Export Performance and 2026 Outlook on Monday in Abuja.
Ayeni said that the sector showed consolidation and structural adjustment during 2025.
She said that increasing contributions from processed agricultural goods, semi-manufactured products, and solid minerals reflected gradual progress towards industrial exports.
According to Ayeni, NEPC will deepen value addition across agriculture, manufacturing and solid minerals through targeted incentives and infrastructure support.
She said that efforts would focus on reducing dependence on large exporters by supporting small and medium-scale enterprises.
Ayeni said that export governance in solid minerals would be strengthened through improved traceability, quality control and beneficiation frameworks.
She noted the country’s recognition at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algiers, adding that Nigeria won Best Pavilion for transacting business.
She said that Nigeria was selected to host the 2027 IATF, adding that the selection affirmed its leadership role under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Partnerships with International Trade Centre (ITC), UK trade missions, among others, expanded market access for Nigerian exporters, ” she said.
Ayeni said that NEPC registered 1,129 new exporters in 2025 to ease documentation and improve business formalisation.
She said that engagement with financial institutions improved, with 30 banks participating and 19,975 export proceeds forms processed.
“Zenith Bank, GTBank, and First Bank led Nigerian Export Proceed form (NXP) processing during the year.
“Approximately 94 per cent of exports exited through seaports, supported by airports and land borders.
“NEPC will continue mainstreaming informal trade for improved data accuracy and policy making,” she said.
Ayeni identified the Nigeria-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (UAE CEPA) as critical, noting tariff elimination on over 7,300 Nigerian products.
She said NEPC would sustain collaboration with stakeholders to reduce export rejects and cancellations.
She expressed appreciation to exporters, partners and the media for supporting non-oil export growth and expressed the council’s commitment to advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda through inclusive export-led economic growth. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
