Ahmed Rabiu, a prominent non-oil exporter, has stated that Nigeria has the potential to increase its non-oil exports from the current 15 percent to as high as 80–90 percent if the right business environment is established, in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Rabiu made the disclosure on Tuesday during an event in Abuja, which unveiled a market survey highlighting key challenges and potential solutions for non-oil exports in Nigeria. He acknowledged that while the government has implemented several policies over the years to promote non-oil exports, significant barriers continue to constrain growth.
According to Rabiu, effective policy execution could enable Nigeria to generate trillions of dollars in revenue from non-oil exports. “We are hopeful that in the next few months there will be noticeable improvements in the ease of doing business, particularly in exportation. Our exporters today are exporting less than 15 percent of what they could achieve,” he said.
He further emphasized that improving the operating environment could allow exporters to reach 80 or even 90 percent of their potential output, while also creating new avenues for trade. “In terms of figures, we are talking about trillions of dollars because the country has abundant exportable materials in the non-oil sector, including agricultural produce—both processed and semi-processed—solid minerals, and services. There is a significant opportunity to scale up,” Rabiu explained.
Rabiu, who is also the president of the Network of Practicing Non-Oil Exporters of Nigeria, highlighted the need for streamlined regulations, improved infrastructure, and supportive policies to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Non-oil exports in Nigeria have shown gradual growth, with figures rising from $5.46 billion in 2024 to $6.1 billion in 2025. Rabiu’s remarks underscore the belief among exporters that, with sustained reforms and targeted interventions, Nigeria can significantly expand its non-oil trade under the AfCFTA framework, positioning the country as a major player in continental and global markets.
