in

NEWS: In 2024, solid minerals and agriculture accounted for 20.79% of non-oil exports, according to NEPC.

FG, stakeholders collaborate to review national gender agriculture policy.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

NADF pledges to transform Nigeria’s economy through agriculture

On key drivers of growth, NEPC said cocoa beans and urea/fertilizer emerged as the top contributors to the sector’s revenue.

“Cocoa beans accounted for 30.55 per cent of total non-oil exports, while Urea/Fertilizer contributed 15.74 per cent, underscoring the pivotal role of agriculture and industrial exports in Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts.

“The impressive performance in 2024 reflects the success of our #doubleyourexport campaign, Export 35 Redefined initiative, and strengthened advocacy for non-oil exports,” Ayeni stated.

She added that a total of 246 distinct products were exported in 2024, spanning manufactured goods, semi-processed commodities, and raw materials.

Among exporting companies, Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemical Limited and Starlink Global & Ideal Limited led the pack, with export earnings of $475.3 million (8.71 per cent) and $456.7 million (8.37 per cent), respectively. Their dominance was largely due to large-scale exports of Fertilizer and Cocoa products.

She explained, “Of the top 20 exporting companies in Nigeria, Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemical Limited and Starlink Global & Ideal Limited secured the foremost position with $475,309,887.26, representing 8.71 per cent and $456,740,920.00, representing 8.37 per cent respectively. This is attributed to their notable export volumes of Fertilizer and Cocoa products.”

Ayeni further acknowledged that Informal Cross-Border Trade played a crucial role in Nigeria’s non-oil export landscape, with its contributions yet to be fully captured in official figures, emphasising the need for improved mechanisms to integrate and record these transactions to reflect the true scale of Nigeria’s export potential.

“It is also interesting to note that there was an increase in the volume of agricultural commodities as non-oil export returns showed that 7.291 million metric tonnes of exportable products were exported in the period under review. More importantly, the result for 2024 would have been much more considering that the volume of Informal Cross Border Trade represents a reasonable percentage of our exports,” She explained.

The NEPC boss also highlighted the successful implementation of various government policies aimed at boosting infrastructure, improving market access, and offering incentives for exporters.

As part of ongoing efforts to bolster Nigeria’s non-oil export capacity, Nonye noted that the NEPC would continue to work with exporters and government agencies to tackle challenges such as poor infrastructure and trade facilitation, while also strengthening trade relations with global partners.

Looking ahead with the positive trajectory of non-oil exports, the NEPC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening export promotion strategies, increasing value addition in key commodities, and expanding market access through global trade partnerships.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

JUST IN: Obi is chastised by the APC for saying “Yahoo boys.”

EXCLUSIVE NEWS: PDP in Enugu charms LP government candidate