Nigeria's non-oil export sector witnessed remarkable growth in 2023, exporting 6.685 million metric tonnes of non-oil products valued at $4.518 billion which is a 28.04% increase from the previous year.
The announcement was made by Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director and CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), during a recognition dinner in Lagos honouring top-performing non-oil export companies.
The event celebrated the resilience and innovation of industry leaders who have significantly contributed to expanding Nigeria's non-oil export capacity.
Ayeni revealed that 273 distinct non-oil products were exported in 2023, which included a variety of goods from semi-processed items to raw agricultural commodities.
Key exports comprised urea, cocoa beans, sesame seeds, soybeans, gold dore, cashew nuts, aluminium ingots, and hibiscus flowers.
She emphasized that these products have positioned Nigeria as a competitive player in global markets, enhancing foreign exchange inflows and aiding in stabilizing the naira.
In her remarks, Ayeni commended exporters for their vital role in showcasing Nigeria's potential beyond oil, stating that their efforts serve as an inspiration for other businesses to explore opportunities within the non-oil sector.
She also announced the launch of the “Double Our Non-Oil Export, DONE” initiative, aimed at doubling Nigeria’s non-oil exports in the coming years. This initiative aligns with the country's industrial revitalization agenda and focuses on job creation, poverty alleviation, and sustainable economic development.
Ayeni outlined plans to prioritize 20 key products, support 10 top exporters per product, and target five international markets.
Additionally, she introduced the Export Support Officers (ESO) program to assist major exporters with operational challenges and streamline business processes.
