Nigeria’s non-oil exports to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) declined by 13.08 per cent in 2025, reflecting changing regional trade dynamics, according to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, attributed the downturn largely to the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), noting that their withdrawal disrupted established trade routes and significantly affected Nigeria’s export flows within the sub-region.
Ayeni disclosed the figures in Abuja during the council’s annual progress report and 2026 non-oil export outlook briefing, where she expressed optimism that ongoing reforms, improved market access, and the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would help deepen Nigeria’s non-oil export footprint across Africa and beyond.
She recalled that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formally announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024, citing excessive sanctions, political interference, and the bloc’s failure to support them in addressing security challenges.
Despite the setback, the NEPC says Nigeria remains well-positioned to expand its non-oil export base as regional trade frameworks evolve and continental integration gains momentum.
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