The three countries with the largest trade surpluses in Africa are oil producers

Key takeaways

  • Angola's $23.8 billion surplus is nearly double Algeria’s
  • The top three countries are major oil exporters
  • Oil, minerals, and natural resources drive most surpluses
  • No North African country besides Algeria makes the top 10

Angola leads Africa’s trade surplus rankings, with other oil-producing countries taking the next two top spots. Mineral wealth boosts nations like Guinea and South Africa, while smaller economies like Ghana and Zambia still maintain positive balances. The rankings highlight how Africa’s trade surpluses rely heavily on natural resources.

Source:

World Bank

Period:

2023
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The United States imported over $5.7 billion in goods from Nigeria in 2024, with mineral fuels and oils accounting for 93%
Key Takeaways:
  • Mineral fuels and oils dominated the US' imports from Nigeria, totalling $5.28 billion.
  • Total US imports from Nigeria reached $5.70 billion in 2024.
  • Non-oil sectors contributed approximately $423 million to the total US imports from Nigeria.
  • US imports from Nigeria cut across 70 distinct product categories.
  • The average value across all import categories was $81.4 million.
  • The top 10 imported goods made up 99.1% of the total imported value.

Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products accounted for 43.65% of the US' total export to Nigeria
Key Takeaways:
  • Mineral fuels and oils led the US' exports to Nigeria at $1.82B, making up over 43% of the total.
  • Vehicles and automotive parts followed at $677.65 million, with machinery and nuclear reactors contributing $487.23 million.
  • Total US exports to Nigeria reached $4.17 billion in 2024.
  • The top 10 export categories made up 90.7% of the total export value.
  • The top three US export categories to Nigeria accounted for nearly 72% of total exports.

The top 3 countries accounted for nearly half of the US' agricultural exports in 2024, valued at $83.35 billion
Key takeaways:
  • Mexico ranked as the leading destination for the US' agricultural exports in 2024, with a total value of $30.32 billion (17.2% of total agricultural exports).
  • North American neighbours, Mexico and Canada, collectively accounted for 33.3% of total US agricultural exports.
  • China was the third-largest market, importing $24.65 billion (14%) of the US' agricultural products.
  • Asian markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, collectively absorbed 31.7% of the US' agricultural exports.
  • The top three markets (Mexico, Canada, and China) made up 47.3% of the US' total agricultural export value.
  • The top 10 markets accounted for 74.8% of the US' agricultural exports, totalling $131.85 billion.

Cocoa products accounted for 30% of the US' agricultural imports from Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024
Key Takeaways:
  • Cocoa products, including paste, butter, and beans dominated the US' agricultural imports from Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024, making up nearly one-third of the total.
  • Other major import categories included coffee, seafood, oilseed meals, and tree nuts, rounding out the top six.
  • The top 10 agricultural imports accounted for 74% of all the US' agricultural imports from the region.
  • Each of the top 10 products had an import value exceeding $120 million.
  • From SSA, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana were the leading suppliers of cocoa products to the US in 2024.
  • The top three products together represented 41% of the total agricultural imports from the region.

Wheat accounted for 46.43% of the United States’ agricultural exports to Nigeria in 2024
Key Takeaways:
  • The United States exported $318.7 million worth of agricultural products to Nigeria in 2024.
  • Wheat accounted for nearly half of the US' agricultural exports to Nigeria, valued at $148 million.
  • The trade balance substantially favours the United States, with exports to Nigeria ($318.7 million) nearly double imports ($114.7 million).
  • The top three products account for 74.49% of all agricultural exports to Nigeria.

Oilseed Meal & Cake top the list of Nigeria’s agricultural exports to the United States, occupying 26% of the total exports in 2024
Key Takeaways:
  • Oilseed meal and cake constituted the United States' largest agricultural import from Nigeria, valued at $29.9 million.
  • Total US agricultural imports from Nigeria in 2024 amounted to $114.7 million.
  • Cocoa beans represented 19% ($21.8 million) of Nigeria's agricultural exports to the US.
  • Oilseed, cocoa, and tea collectively accounted for 59% of the total agricultural exports from Nigeria to the United States.

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