For most of the period (2013-H1 2025), China's share of Nigeria's imports from Asia hovers around 50%-55%, showing dominance

  • China has dominated Nigeria’s imports from Asia, maintaining a 50–55% share for most of the period.
  • China’s share reached its highest level at 58.6% in H1 2025.
  • India's import share remained volatile, ranging between 11% and 25%.
  • Total imports from Asia surged from ₦2.6 trillion in 2013 to ₦16.4 trillion in H1 2025.

China continues to dominate Nigeria’s import relationship with Asia, maintaining a steady lead over the past decade. From 2013 to H1 2025, China consistently accounted for around 50%–55% of Nigeria’s total imports from the region, reaching a new high of 58.6% in H1 2025. This long-term dominance highlights China’s strong foothold in Nigeria’s trade structure, a result of deep economic ties built on affordable manufactured goods, machinery, electronics, and construction materials. In contrast, other Asian countries like India and Japan hold smaller but notable shares, reflecting a more diversified but uneven import mix within Asia.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics

Period:

2013 - H1 2025
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Nigeria's agricultural imports' share has been dropping, from 83.9% (2017) to a low of 42.9% (H1 2025)
  • Agricultural imports fell from 83.9% in 2017 to 42.9% in H1 2025, indicating a significant decline in import dependency.
  • Agricultural exports grew from 16.1% in 2017 to 54.0% in 2024, surpassing imports for the first time since 2017.
  • Total agricultural trade increased from ₦1.1 trillion in 2017 to ₦8.2 trillion in 2024.
  • Between 2022 and 2024, the import share dropped significantly from 75.7% to 46.0%.

Crude oil imports in Nigeria emerged in H1 2025 (the first since 2017), capturing a 10.2% share of the total crude oil trade
  • Crude oil imports into Nigeria in H1 2025 marked the first occurrence since 2017.
  • Crude oil imports accounted for 10.2% of total crude oil trade.
  • From 2017 to 2024, exports made up 100% of crude oil trade annually.
  • Total crude oil trade peaked at ₦55.3 trillion in 2024.
  • The emergence of crude oil imports can be linked to domestic refinery operations, especially the Dangote Refinery.

Asia and Europe (combined) have consistently represented over 70% of Nigeria's total imports since 2013
  • Asia and Europe have consistently represented over 70% of Nigeria’s imports since 2013.
  • Asia’s share of imports reached a record 53.5% in H1 2025.
  • Europe contributed 23.1% of total imports in H1 2025.
  • Imports from the American region averaged between 10%–14% over the period.
  • Africa’s import share remained below 10%, showing limited regional trade.

The Netherlands held the largest share of Nigeria's imports from Europe for most of the period, averaging 20% of annual imports
  • The Netherlands has mostly been the top European import source, with Nigeria averaging 20% of annual imports from the region.
  • Netherlands' highest share of Nigeria's imports was 27.9% in 2018.
  • The United Kingdom consistently contributed around 5–15% of Nigeria’s European imports.
  • Germany’s share remained relatively stable at 5–10% over the years.
  • France, Italy, and Spain maintained smaller shares, mostly under 7%.

Nigeria's manufactured goods trade is overwhelmingly import-dependent, with imports consistently exceeding 85% since 2017
  • Imports have consistently exceeded 85% of Nigeria's manufactured goods trade since 2017.
  • In H1 2025, imports accounted for 93.3% of the total ₦16.5 trillion trade.
  • Nigeria’s export share in the manufactured goods trade was only 6.7% in H1 2025.
  • The highest export share in the past eight years was 14.8% in 2019.
  • Total manufactured goods trade grew from ₦4.9 trillion in 2017 to ₦29.1 trillion in 2024.

Nigeria's imports of food and beverage have grown in value by 265% since 2020, reaching ₦6.6T in 2024
  • Nigeria’s food and beverage imports increased almost ninefold, from ₦0.7 trillion in 2013 to ₦6.6 trillion in 2024.
  • Imports remained relatively stable between 2015 and 2019, averaging around ₦1.1–₦1.6 trillion.
  • A major spike occurred in 2021, when imports surged by 62%, reaching ₦2.9 trillion.
  • Overall, the trend underscores Nigeria’s ongoing challenge of reducing dependency on imported food and beverages despite policies aimed at self-sufficiency.

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