Nigeria’s trade with other member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) rose by 43 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to N6.9tn in the first nine months of 2025 (9m’25), up from N4.82tn recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
An analysis of data contained in the Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics Report recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the growth was largely driven by a sharp increase in exports to the sub-region.
According to the report, Nigeria’s exports to ECOWAS countries rose by 37.6 per cent YoY to N6.14tn in 9m’25, compared with N4.46tn in 9m’24.
Imports from ECOWAS member states also recorded a significant increase, growing by 113.15 per cent YoY to N770.46bn in 9m’25, from N361.46bn in the same period of the previous year.
Quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) data further highlighted the accelerating pace of regional trade. Nigeria’s trade with ECOWAS rose by 82.6 per cent QoQ to N2.32tn in the second quarter of 2025 (Q2’25), from N1.27tn in the first quarter (Q1’25).
In the third quarter of 2025 (Q3’25), trade expanded by a further 43 per cent QoQ to N3.32tn.
Providing a breakdown of Q3’25 figures, the NBS said exports to ECOWAS member states stood at N3.14tn, while imports amounted to N179.26bn.
The figures underscore Nigeria’s growing trade engagement within the West African sub-region, driven largely by rising exports and increasing economic integration among ECOWAS countries.
