Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Nigeria’s ECOWAS Exports Fall 13% After Sahel States Exit

Nigeria’s non-oil exports to the Economic Community of West African States declined by 13.08 per cent in 2025, falling to $271.26m from $312.08m in 2024, according to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. The drop was largely attributed to the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS, which disrupted established trade corridors, transit routes and payment arrangements within the sub-region. Despite this setback, Nigeria maintained export links with 11 ECOWAS countries, with Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire ranking among the top global destinations for Nigerian non-oil products. Beyond the sub-region, Nigeria expanded exports to 25 other African countries, bringing total African destinations to 36. Overall, non-oil exports reached a record $6.1bn in 2025, reflecting steady progress in economic diversification. The NEPC expressed optimism that reforms and the African Continental Free Trade Area will strengthen Nigeria’s intra-African trade and export competitiveness.

Damilola Aina | 1) Exports—Nigeria 2) Economic integration—West Africa 3) Sahel—Politics and government | Punch Newspaper | Wednesday, January 21, 2026