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Promote:Nigeria

Export from Nigeria

A short guide for companies selling from Nigeria: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.

1. What Nigeria sells, and who buys it

Top goods exports

2025

  1. 1. Crude petroleum (HS 2709)US$31.2 billion
  2. 2. Natural gas (HS 2711)US$10.2 billion
  3. 3. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$5.68 billion
  4. 4. Nitrogen fertilizers (HS 3102)US$2.17 billion
  5. 5. Cocoa beans (HS 1801)US$2.01 billion
  6. 6. Petroleum coke and bitumen (HS 2713)US$804.7 million
  7. 7. Floating cranes and platforms (HS 8905)US$659.8 million
  8. 8. Cashew nuts, coconuts and Brazil nuts (HS 0801)US$533.4 million
Show 12 more products
  1. 9. Oil seeds (HS 1207)US$303.5 million
  2. 10. Gold (HS 7108)US$230.7 million
  3. 11. Electricity (HS 2716)US$220.4 million
  4. 12. Cocoa butter, fat and oil (HS 1804)US$210.8 million
  5. 13. Unwrought aluminum (HS 7601)US$185.5 million
  6. 14. Chocolate and cocoa preparations (HS 1806)US$132.4 million
  7. 15. Refined copper (HS 7403)US$109.1 million
  8. 16. Cigarettes and cigars (HS 2402)US$89.7 million
  9. 17. Natural rubber (HS 4001)US$84.4 million
  10. 18. Cement (HS 2523)US$83.5 million
  11. 19. Oilseed flours and meals (HS 1208)US$62.5 million
  12. 20. Other mineral substances (HS 2530)US$59.4 million

Source: UN Comtrade, Nigeria exports by product, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

Where the goods go

2025, share of goods exports

  • India10.5%
  • Spain8.7%
  • Netherlands8.7%
  • France7.2%
  • United States5.8%
  • Canada5.1%
  • Indonesia4.5%
  • Italy4.4%

Source: UN Comtrade, Nigeria exports by destination, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

2. What to look into next

Our reading

Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.

3. Trade agreements

What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.

  • African Continental Free Trade Area

    Nigeria ratified the agreement in December 2020 and began guided trade under it in July 2024, with ECOWAS's tariff offer adopted in October 2021.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access. Confirm the importing country's tariff offer and rules of origin.

    Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Nigeria, October 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 9, 2024

  • ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme

    Nigeria applies the ECOWAS Common External Tariff and the scheme, which gives approved products duty-free entry among members.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access. Approval of the enterprise and product comes first; check the destination member's treatment.

    Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Nigeria, October 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 9, 2024

  • AGOA

    AGOA, the United States' trade preference program for eligible African countries, lists Nigeria as a 2026 beneficiary and now runs to December 31, 2028.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access. Check how the July 2026 Section 301 duty applies to your product.

    Source: USTR, AGOA eligibility review notice, June 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026

  • Developing Countries Trading Scheme

    Nigeria is in the Enhanced Preferences tier of the United Kingdom's scheme, which cuts or removes duties on a wide range of goods when origin rules are met.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access. Confirm the tariff line and rules of origin in the United Kingdom tariff.

    Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of June 19, 2023

Show 1 more agreement

  • Generalised Scheme of Preferences

    The European Union's list of January 2023 shows Nigeria as a standard GSP beneficiary, with reduced duties on listed goods.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access. A new GSP Regulation applies from January 1, 2027; confirm Nigeria's tier on the updated list.

    Source: European Commission, GSP beneficiary list, January 2023⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of January 1, 2023

4. Steps to export

The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.

Exporting from Nigeria

  1. Incorporate the company with the Corporate Affairs Commission if you are a first-time exporter.Corporate Affairs CommissionOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Nigeria Trade Information Portal, Export Procedures⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  2. Register with the tax authority for a Tax Identification Number, which customs and the export forms use.Nigeria Revenue ServiceOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Nigeria Trade Information Portal, Export Procedures⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  3. Register with NEPC through its e-registration platform to get an exporter's certificate.Nigerian Export Promotion CouncilNew certificate N13,500; renewal N7,500 (NEPC page, excluding payment charges)Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: NEPC, e-registration page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  4. Register on the National Single Window platform, where permits and certificates are applied for.National Single WindowOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Nigeria Trade Information Portal, Export Procedures⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

Show 10 more export steps
  1. Open an export proceeds domiciliary account with an authorized dealer bank.Authorized dealer bank (licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria)Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: CBN, Foreign Exchange Manual, 4th Edition, May 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  2. Check your HS code against the export prohibition list and apply on the portal for permits for regulated goods.National Single WindowOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Nigeria Trade Information Portal, Prohibited Items⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  3. Process Form NXP through your authorized dealer bank, free of charge, before shipping.Central Bank of NigeriaForm NXP processing is free of charge (Foreign Exchange Manual, May 2026)Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: CBN, Foreign Exchange Manual, 4th Edition, May 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  4. Have a pre-shipment inspection agent inspect non-oil goods and pay the export supervision levy to get a Clean Certificate of Inspection.Pre-shipment inspection agent appointed by the GovernmentLevy: 0.5 percent of FOB value for non-oil exports; inspection within 48 hours and certificate within 72 hours (Foreign Exchange Manual)Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: CBN, Foreign Exchange Manual, 4th Edition, May 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  5. Get a certificate of origin for the agreement you will claim, from the body that issues it.Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture; Nigeria Customs ServiceOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Nigeria Trade Information Portal, Export Procedures⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  6. Obtain phytosanitary certificates for plant products and health certificates for processed food.Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service; National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and ControlOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: NEPC, export documents and procedures page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  7. Ask SON for conformity certification under SONEXCAP if your product needs it.Standards Organisation of NigeriaOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: SON, home page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  8. File the export declaration through Customs' B'odogwu platform, with a licensed customs agent.Nigeria Customs ServiceOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Nigeria Trade Information Portal, Export Procedures⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  9. Bring export proceeds home through your authorized dealer bank within the Central Bank deadline.Authorized dealer bank (licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria)Non-oil: 180 days from the bill of lading date; oil and gas: 90 daysOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: CBN, Foreign Exchange Manual, 4th Edition, May 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  10. Apply to NEPC for the Export Expansion Grant after a formal export if you meet its conditions.Nigerian Export Promotion CouncilOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: NIPC, Investment Incentives and Statutory Reliefs, January 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of January 1, 2026

5. Organizations that help exporters

Start with NEPC and NBS. Each card links to the organization’s own site.

Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets

Export development and market information

Show 4 more organizations

Customs and tax

Show 1 more organization

Standards and sector requirements

Show 3 more organizations

Chambers and industry associations

6. Worth knowing

7. How Promote:Global helps

  • Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
  • Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
  • Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
  • Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.

Turn this guide into your Nigeria project.

Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.

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Promote:Nigeria is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.

Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.