Cocoa and its derivatives topped Nigeria’s non-oil exports, driven by rising global demand, higher prices, and increased local processing capacity.
Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose by 19.6% to $3.225 billion in the first half of 2025, driven by strong global demand for cocoa, urea, and cashew nuts, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) said on Monday.
NEPC Chief Executive, Nonye Ayeni, said export volumes increased to 4.04 million metric tons from 3.83 million tons in the same period of 2024, with cocoa accounting for about 35% of total export value. “Cocoa and its derivatives topped Nigeria’s non-oil exports, driven by rising global demand, higher prices, and increased local processing capacity,” she stated.
Ayeni credited the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and government initiatives such as exporter training programmes for helping businesses meet international standards and gain wider market access.
Top exporters included Indorama Eleme Fertilizer Ltd., Starlink Global, and Dangote Fertilizer Ltd., with the Netherlands, United States, and India emerging as the leading destinations for Nigerian goods.