Nigeria exported goods worth N3.82 trillion to West African countries in the second quarter of 2026, with Togo and Côte d’Ivoire accounting for more than 70 per cent of the regional export value, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Nigeria’s exports to West African countries reached N3.82 trillion in Q2 2026, significantly exceeding imports of N280.66 billion, as trade flows within the region remained heavily tilted in favour of Nigeria.
The figures contained in the National Bureau of Statistics’ Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics, Q2 2026 report, show that Nigeria’s regional export market remains concentrated among a handful of destinations, with Togo and Côte d’Ivoire emerging as the dominant markets.
Togo was Nigeria’s largest export destination in West Africa during the quarter, receiving goods valued at N1.50 trillion.
Côte d’Ivoire followed with N1.22 trillion, while Ghana, Senegal and the Republic of Benin accounted for N461.36 billion, N409.05 billion and N104.53 billion, respectively.
Together, the five countries accounted for 96.58 per cent of Nigeria’s total exports to West Africa, underscoring the concentration of Nigeria’s regional trade around a limited number of markets.
Petroleum Products Dominate Nigeria’s N3.8trn West African Exports
Despite the scale of Nigeria’s exports to the region, the composition of trade remains strongly concentrated in petroleum products.
Crude oil was the largest export commodity, valued at N1.55 trillion, representing 40.53 per cent of Nigeria’s total exports to West African countries.
Gas oil followed at N980.69 billion, accounting for 25.68 per cent, while kerosene-type jet fuel exports stood at N413.05 billion, or 10.82 per cent.
Motor spirit, ordinary, accounted for another N376.46 billion, representing 9.86 per cent, while vessels and other floating structures for breaking up contributed N92.32 billion.
The five leading products collectively represented 89.30 per cent of Nigeria’s exports to West Africa during the quarter.
The concentration highlights the continued importance of Nigeria’s petroleum value chain to its regional trade position, even as policymakers seek to expand non-oil exports and deepen intra-African commerce.
Nigeria Records N3.5trn Trade Surplus With West Africa
Nigeria’s strong export position translated into a regional trade surplus of approximately N3.54 trillion during the quarter.
While exports to West Africa stood at N3.82 trillion, imports from the region amounted to N280.66 billion.
Nigeria’s leading import partner in West Africa was Ghana, with imports valued at N157.37 billion, followed by Liberia at N51.15 billion, Côte d’Ivoire at N40.84 billion, Benin at N10.10 billion and Mauritania at N8.83 billion. These five countries accounted for 95.59 per cent of Nigeria’s imports from the region.
The composition of imports was similarly concentrated. Crude oil accounted for N138.41 billion, or 49.32 per cent, followed by crude palm oil at N68.46 billion and petroleum bitumen at N15.43 billion.
Togo, Côte d’Ivoire Anchor Nigeria’s Regional Trade
Nigeria’s exports to Togo amounted to N1.50 trillion, while Côte d’Ivoire received N1.22 trillion. Their combined value of about N2.71 trillion represents roughly 71 per cent of Nigeria’s N3.82 trillion exports to West Africa.
The concentration also extends beyond individual countries to Nigeria’s wider African trade. Total exports to African countries stood at N6.65 trillion in Q2, compared with imports of N1.10 trillion. Togo, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Egypt together accounted for 74.75 per cent of Nigeria’s exports to Africa.
For Nigeria, the figures point to the importance of regional markets in absorbing its petroleum output, while also highlighting the relatively narrow product base underpinning its West African export strength.
As Nigeria seeks to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area and increase non-oil exports, the ability to convert its regional trade surplus into more diversified agricultural, manufactured and value-added exports will remain critical.