Nigeria's H1 trade: Imports from ECOWAS countries rose from 12% in H1 2021 to a peak of nearly 40% in H1 2024

  • Imports from ECOWAS countries peaked at 39.9% in H1 2024, up from just 12.0% in H1 2021.
  • The share declined to 32.4% in H1 2025, showing a reversal after the 2024 peak.
  • Total import values grew sharply, from ₦209.6B in H1 2020 to ₦1.8T in H1 2025.
  • In H1 2019, ECOWAS already had a decent share of 19.6%, showing long-standing but fluctuating trade ties.

Nigeria’s trade relations within Africa have undergone significant shifts in recent years, with imports from ECOWAS countries experiencing substantial growth. The share of imports from ECOWAS countries rose from just 12.0% in H1 2021 to a peak of 39.9% in H1 2024, before easing to 32.4% in H1 2025. This trajectory highlights how regional integration and trade ties have strengthened, despite fluctuations, suggesting that structural or policy challenges may still be at play.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics

Period:

H1 2019 - H1 2025
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