The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to granting 99% duty-free and quota-free access to Nigerian exporters under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade Partnership, effective since 2024, the British High Commission in Abuja announced on Wednesday, June 18.
The agreement, covering goods like cocoa, sesame, and cashew nuts, supports Nigeria’s $2.1 billion non-oil export surge in Q1 2025, per the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
UK Trade Commissioner Oliver Christian emphasized the deal’s role in boosting bilateral trade, valued at £7 billion in 2024, with Nigeria exporting £4 billion in agricultural products. The scheme, part of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, benefits 3,000 Nigerian SMEs, particularly in Lagos and Kano, per BusinessDay. Key exemptions include crude oil, reflecting the UK’s focus on Nigeria’s non-oil sector. The deal also facilitates UK investments, with $500 million pledged for Nigeria’s renewable energy in 2025.
Challenges like port inefficiencies, which delayed 70% of consignments in 2024, per Nigeria Customs Service, threaten gains. The NEPC urged exporters to comply with UK sanitary standards to sustain access. The agreement, extended through 2030, strengthens Nigeria’s trade diversification, though analysts stress infrastructure upgrades to maximize benefits.