Ethiopia leads Africa in cattle population, dominating 53 of the past 62 years

From the early 1960s through the 1990s, Ethiopia's cattle population growth placed it at the forefront of African livestock rearers, holding the top position with millions of cattle.

This leadership continued into the 2000s, reflecting Ethiopia's robust cattle industry on the continent. Sudan managed to take the top position a few times, mostly around the 2000s.

However, Ethiopia quickly reclaimed the top spot. Nigeria's cattle population grew from about 6.03 million in 1961 to 20.9 million in 2022, claiming 6th position in Africa as of 2022.

Africa accounted for one-fourth of the global cattle population as of 2022.

Source:

Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN

Period:

1961-2022
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Nigeria's agric exports

  • The value of agricultural goods exported in Q1 2025 rose to ₦1.70 trillion, up 64.65% year-on-year and 10.63% quarter-on-quarter, highlighting continued growth in the sector.

  • Standard and superior cocoa beans led the chart, contributing a combined ₦1.23 trillion, with major buyers being The Netherlands (₦344.17B) and Belgium (₦203.17B).

  • Cashew nuts in shell earned ₦157.63B, mostly exported to India (₦87.56B) and Vietnam (₦69.74B). Sesamum seeds brought in ₦128.18B.

  • Soya bean flours and ornamental flowers fetched ₦27B and ₦18B respectively, showing Nigeria's export mix is broadening.

Cocoa led Nigeria’s agricultural exports by value in Q1 2025, with over ₦1.2B
  • The value of agricultural goods exported in Q1 2025 rose to ₦1.70 trillion, up 64.65% year-on-year and 10.63% quarter-on-quarter, highlighting continued growth in the sector.
  • Standard and superior cocoa beans led the chart, contributing a combined ₦1.23 trillion, with major buyers being The Netherlands (₦344.17B) and Belgium (₦203.17B).
  • Cashew nuts in shell earned ₦157.63B, mostly exported to India (₦87.56B) and Vietnam (₦69.74B), while sesamum seeds brought in ₦128.18B.
  • Soya bean flours and ornamental flowers fetched ₦27B and ₦18B respectively, showing Nigeria's export mix is broadening.
Guinea-Bissau had the highest agricultural contribution to its GDP among African countries in 2024, at 36.8%
  • Guinea-Bissau showed the highest agricultural contribution to its GDP at 36.8% in 2024.
  • Contributions range widely, with high reliance seen in Comoros (36.6%) and Ethiopia (34.9%), contrasting with lower percentages in DR Congo (17.1%) and Angola (16.4%).
  • Agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributed a notable 20.4% to Nigeria's GDP in 2024.
  • Countries with high agricultural GDP contributions are predominantly located in West and East Africa.
Nigeria has produced over 1.39 billion tonnes of yam since 1961, over 64% of global production
  • Nigeria is the world’s top yam producer since the 1980s.
  • West Africa supplies over 95% of global yam output.
  • Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have grown steadily in the rankings.
  • Non-African countries play a very small role today.
  • Nigeria exports very little yam despite massive production.
India leads global banana production with 36.6M tonnes in 2024 as Nigeria ranks 4th among top producers with 7.3M tonnes
  • India dominates global banana output with 36.6 million tonnes, accounting for over a third of total production among the top 10 countries.
  • China (11.7M) and Indonesia (9.34M) round out the top three, contributing significantly to Asia’s dominance in banana farming.
  • Nigeria ranks 4th globally, producing 7.3 million tonnes, slightly ahead of Ecuador and Brazil.
  • Africa is well represented, with Nigeria, Angola, and Tanzania collectively contributing 15.86 million tonnes, or about 16% of the top 10 output.
Despite volatility, Nigeria's kola nut production reached 188,700 tonnes in 2023, a 117.7% increase from the 1994-2006 average
Key Takeaways:
  • In 2023, Nigeria's kola nut production reached a peak of 188,703.54 tonnes.
  • Following a decline in production from 1994 to 2006, production rose dramatically from 2007 onwards.
  • Between 1997 and 2001, production was lowest, at only 82,000 tonnes.
  • The 2010s saw steady growth, fuelled by increased agricultural investment and possibly rising domestic or export demand.
  • The average production from 1994 to 2006 was 86,698.12 tonnes.
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