Nigeria’s trade with other member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) rose sharply by 43 per cent year-on-year to N6.9 trillion in the first nine months of 2025, compared with N4.82 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
Analysis of the Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) attributed the strong performance largely to a significant increase in exports to the sub-region. Exports to ECOWAS countries grew by 37.6 per cent year-on-year to N6.14 trillion in the nine-month period of 2025, up from N4.46 trillion in the same period of 2024.
Imports from ECOWAS countries also recorded a notable surge, rising by 113.15 per cent year-on-year to N770.46 billion in the period under review, compared with N361.46 billion a year earlier.
Quarter-on-quarter data further underscored the upward trend in regional trade. Nigeria’s trade with ECOWAS increased by 82.6 per cent to N2.32 trillion in the second quarter of 2025 from N1.27 trillion in the first quarter. This momentum was sustained in the third quarter, with trade expanding by 43 per cent quarter-on-quarter to N3.32 trillion.
According to the NBS, exports to ECOWAS member states in the third quarter of 2025 stood at N3.14 trillion, while imports from the region amounted to N179.26 billion.
A breakdown by commodities showed that crude petroleum remained Nigeria’s dominant export to the sub-region. “Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude,” were valued at N1.32 trillion, accounting for 42.14 per cent of total exports to ECOWAS countries. This was followed by gas oil, valued at N529.57 billion or 16.89 per cent, and light vessels, fire floats, floating cranes and other vessels, worth N497.16 billion or 15.86 per cent.
Collectively, these three products accounted for 74.89 per cent of Nigeria’s total exports to the ECOWAS region during the quarter.
On the import side, Nigeria’s purchases from ECOWAS countries were dominated by crude palm oil, valued at N30.08 billion or 16.78 per cent of total imports from the region. Petroleum bitumen followed at N22.68 billion, representing 12.65 per cent, while extracts, essences and concentrates were valued at N3.03 billion, accounting for 1.69 per cent.
The latest figures highlight the growing importance of regional trade within West Africa, driven largely by energy exports, while also reflecting increased cross-border demand for agricultural and industrial inputs within the ECOWAS bloc.