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NEPC reports strong growth in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector for 2024

Nigeria’s non-oil exports reached $5.46 billion in 2024, marking a 20.77% increase. The NEPC credits successful policies, programmes, and global demand.

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Nigeria non-oil exports 2024 growth

Nigeria’s non-oil exports reached $5.46 billion in 2024, marking a 20.77% increase. The NEPC credits successful policies, programmes, and global demand

 

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has released its impressive performance report for 2024, showing significant growth in the country’s non-oil export sector.

Also read: Oil Tycoon, Wale Tinubu, Begins the New Year with Positive Momentum

According to Nonye Ayeni, the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Nigeria’s non-oil exports reached $5.456 billion in 2024, reflecting a 20.77% increase compared to 2023’s $4.517 billion.

This achievement highlights the effectiveness of NEPC’s initiatives and the broader push for economic diversification under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Ayeni pointed out that the 2024 results were driven by various NEPC policies, including the “Go Global, Go for Certification” campaign, aimed at improving the quality of Made-in-Nigeria products.

The council also focused on expanding production capacity through programmes like the “Export 35 Redefined” and the “#doubleyourexport” initiative, which seek to empower farmers and processors to increase their export volumes.

The council exported a total of 7.291 million metric tonnes of products in 2024, up from 6.685 million metric tonnes in 2023.

The export basket for 2024 included 246 products, with top exports such as cocoa beans, urea, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, aluminum ingots, and cocoa butter.

Notably, cocoa butter saw a significant increase in exports, driven by rising global demand, improved production processes, and enhanced market access to key importing countries.

In terms of export receipts, the top exporters for 2024 were Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemical Limited and Starlink Global & Ideal Limited, both of which made substantial contributions to the overall export growth.

Zenith Bank, First Bank, and Fidelity Bank also played key roles, supporting Nigerian exporters through financial transactions that accounted for a significant portion of total receipts.

The NEPC also noted that the bulk of Nigeria’s exports originated from the South West and South South regions, which together contributed 90% of the total exports in 2024.

The top export destinations for Nigerian products included the Netherlands, Brazil, and Malaysia, with Ghana continuing to lead as the primary intra-African trade partner.

One of the most notable developments in 2024 was the Central Bank of Nigeria’s approval for the inclusion of CFA in NXP forms for the repatriation of export proceeds.

This move is expected to benefit the NEPC’s “#doubleyourexport” initiative, as it facilitates smoother transactions for Nigerian exporters.

The NEPC’s efforts to boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness were further underscored by the certification of 400 SME exporters under the “Go Global, Go for Certification” campaign.

With a goal of certifying 855 businesses between 2022 and 2025, the NEPC is working to ensure that Nigerian exporters meet international standards and are well-equipped for global trade.

Another milestone was the launch of the Export Skills Acquisition Centre (ESAC) in Apapa, Lagos, a collaborative effort between the NEPC and Lelook Bag Academy.

The centre aims to bridge knowledge gaps and equip Nigerian exporters with the necessary skills to compete in the global marketplace.

The NEPC’s commitment to inclusivity was evident in its focus on empowering women-led businesses. In 2024, 587 women-led businesses benefited from the council’s programmes, while over 12,000 women, youth, and people with special needs participated in MSME clinics, Women in Export programmes, and Youth for Export Development Programmes (YEXDEP).

Looking ahead, the NEPC has already set its sights on continued growth in 2025, with key initiatives already in motion.

In February 2024, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) recognised the NEPC as one of four outstanding Business Support Organizations (BSOs) selected to implement the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, a transformative initiative to support women entrepreneurs in international trade and digitalization.

As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure the quality of Nigerian exports, the NEPC is also working on the STDF 845 project for cowpea and sesame, which aims to reduce rejections of Nigerian exports by meeting international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

With a projected global market value of $7.67 billion for sesame and $7.60 billion for cowpeas by 2025, the NEPC’s work in this area could significantly boost Nigeria’s export receipts.

With a strong track record in 2024 and clear plans for the future, the NEPC is well-positioned to continue driving growth in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

As the council continues to measure and evaluate its progress, it remains focused on improving the country’s global competitiveness and achieving its ambitious export targets for the years to come.

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Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc Evolves into Holding Company Structure to Align with Decentralized Regulatory Framework – Announces Strategic Appointments

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Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has announced its transition into a Holding Company (HOLDCO) structure, a strategic move designed to strengthen the company’s ability to operate effectively within Nigeria’s evolving electricity market and newly decentralized regulatory environment.

This move follows the enactment of the Electricity Act of 2023, empowering State Governments to establish independent electricity markets and regulatory commissions.

In response to this regulatory shift, AEDC has realigned its corporate structure to enhance operational agility, improve governance, and support efficient service delivery across its franchise areas.

As part of this transformation, AEDC has incorporated two new subsidiary companies; the Niger Electricity Distribution Company and the Kogi Electricity Distribution Company. These entities will operate under the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NSERC) and the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC), respectively, while remaining integral members of the AEDC Group.

Key executive appointments have been made, including Engr. Sam Odekina as Chief Business Officer and Acting Managing Director of Niger Electricity Distribution Company, and Mr. Desmond Eboh as Chief Business Officer and Acting Managing Director of Kogi Electricity Distribution Company. Plans are underway to commence operations in Nasarawa State, with the transition process expected to begin soon.

AEDC’s Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye stated that the HOLDCO structure positions the company to respond to state-specific regulatory requirements while preserving the Group’s unified identity, shared values, and commitment to operational excellence and customer service. All subsidiaries will operate as one integrated AEDC family, with uniform Conditions of Service for employees, ensuring workforce stability and fairness.

“The Holdco structure aligns perfectly with our goal to enhance operational efficiency and adapt to Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape while exploring new opportunities , drive growth and contribute to Nigeria’s energy sector development,” Chijioke said.

We are committed to maintaining our high standards of service, innovation and customer focus, even as we evolve into a new structure,” he further said.

AEDC reaffirms its commitment to supporting sustainable, state-regulated electricity markets and setting benchmarks for efficiency, reliability, and customer experience. The company serves the Federal Capital Territory and parts of Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, and remains dedicated to powering economic growth and improving quality of life.

AEDC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development of sustainable, state-regulated electricity markets and to setting a benchmark for efficiency, reliability, and customer experience across its operations.

AEDC further noted that the recently executed Conditions of Service apply uniformly to all employees across the parent company and its subsidiaries, underscoring the Group’s commitment to workforce stability, fairness, and alignment during the transition.

Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc distributes electricity to the Federal Capital Territory and parts of Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers, and remains committed to powering economic growth and improving quality of life across its franchise areas.

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Double Honours for ‘Gas King’ Julius Rone

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Chief Executive Officer of UTM Offshore, Julius Rone, has kickstarted the year 2026 on a high note as he has won two significant awards, New Telegraph Personality of the Year 2025 and The Sun Newspaper’s Investor of the Year thereby cementing his status as a transformative force in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
Dubbed the “Gas King,” Rone’s recognition stems from his leadership of Nigeria’s inaugural Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project, a groundbreaking initiative set to reshape the nation’s position in global energy markets.
The energy tycoon possesses an unrivalled genius and profound understanding of investment is consistently making headlines and staying ahead of his peers while his remarkable qualities have set him far apart from ordinary business magnates across the continent.

His presence in the gas sector has been a dominating force, leaving an ineffaceable mark wherever he ventures and positioning himself at the pinnacle of Nigeria’s gas industry.

He has a rich and diverse entrepreneurial journey that has helped shape the business sector in Africa. His path to success includes a series of ventures that have significantly contributed to the region’s business growth.

The UTM Offshore FLNG facility is designed to deliver 1.5 million tonnes of LNG for export and 300,000 tonnes of LPG for domestic use annually. This venture, backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as part of the Renewed Hope agenda, represents a significant advancement in Nigeria’s gas monetization strategy.
Rone’s professional journey spans influential roles at OMPADEC and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) before assuming leadership of the UTM Group of Companies in 2008. His approach combines operational excellence with environmental stewardship, engaging international partners including JGC Holdings, Technip Energies, and KBR while conducting rigorous environmental assessments.
The double awards have further solidified Rone’s status as an outstanding businessman that stands out among Africa’s elite. His exceptional intuition, unmatched business acumen, and ability to identify opportunities where others see failure have propelled him to the forefront.

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Zichis Agro-Allied to List N1.09bn Shares on NGX

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Zichis Agro-Allied

Zichis Agro-Allied Industries plans to list N1.09bn shares on NGX growth board, promising transparency and strong investor returns

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