Nigeria is buying more from ECOWAS, with their share of African imports up to 32.4% in H1 2025

  • ECOWAS’s share of Nigeria’s African imports grew to 32.4% in H1 2025, up from 15.0% in 2021.
  • The lowest ECOWAS import share was recorded in 2014 (8.8%), showing significant progress since then.
  • The share of ECOWAS imports has more than doubled since 2021, signalling stronger regional trade ties.
  • Nigeria’s total imports from Africa rose to ₦1.8 trillion in 2025 (H1), indicating expanding trade activity.

Nigeria’s import pattern within Africa is showing a notable shift, as ECOWAS countries are becoming increasingly important trading partners.

Since 2021, the share of ECOWAS in Nigeria’s total imports from Africa has been on a steady rise, reaching 32.4% in the first half of 2025. This upward trend suggests that regional trade integration—driven by both policy cooperation and logistics improvements—is beginning to yield visible results.

While non-ECOWAS African countries still account for a larger portion, their share is gradually declining, reflecting Nigeria’s deepening economic ties within West Africa.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics

Period:

2013 - 2025
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