Nigeria imported goods valued at N654.94 billion from African countries in the first quarter of 2026. South Africa, Angola, Egypt, Morocco, and Eswatini emerged as the country’s top sources of imports on the continent.

These trade statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlight growing commercial ties under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework and Nigeria's efforts to diversify its trade relationships across Africa.

The imports were largely concentrated in petroleum products, industrial raw materials, agricultural commodities, food ingredients, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and manufacturing inputs essential to Nigeria’s economy.

Ghana was the tenth largest African exporter to Nigeria, with goods worth N17.99 billion. This represents a sharp decline from N150.96 billion in Q4 2025. Key imports from Ghana included cocoa powder, crude palm oil, and infant food preparations.

Tanzania ranked ninth with exports valued at N18.98 billion, a decrease from N23.25 billion in Q4 2025. Traditional exports include raw hides and skins, leather products, and agricultural commodities. The Tanzania High Commission in Abuja plans to intensify economic diplomacy to strengthen trade ties.

Liberia was eighth, with imports totaling N20.51 billion, dominated by crude palm oil (N20.29 billion). Other imports included used vehicles and motor vehicle parts.

Kenya ranked seventh with exports to Nigeria valued at N22.89 billion, a marginal increase from N22.85 billion in Q4 2025. Imports included Kenyan tea and coffee, leather products, and machinery.

Uganda placed sixth with imports valued at N26.34 billion, an increase from N12.60 billion in Q4 2025. Nigeria traditionally imports coffee, tea, spices, pharmaceutical products, and machinery from Uganda.

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) ranked fifth with imports worth N33.89 billion, a decline from N37.19 billion in Q4 2025. Exports were driven by mixtures of odoriferous substances used in food and beverage production (N19.23 billion).

Morocco recorded exports worth N68.66 billion, a significant increase from N31.05 billion in Q4 2025. The largest product imported was diammonium phosphate fertiliser (N48.14 billion).

Egypt emerged as Nigeria’s third-largest African import source, with imports valued at N69.99 billion.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s food and beverage imports declined to N1.39 trillion in Q1 2026, down from N1.671 trillion in Q1 2025, a year-on-year decrease of 16.7%. Imports of primary food products fell to N634.05 billion, industrial food inputs to N353.24 billion, and household consumption items to N280.81 billion.

This moderation in food and beverage imports occurs amidst Nigeria’s economic reforms, exchange rate adjustments, and efforts to boost domestic production. In June 2024, President Bola Tinubu ordered a six-month suspension of import duties on staple food items, drugs, and other essential items to curb inflation.

Despite the overall decline, imports for household consumption increased compared to Q1 2024, indicating sustained demand for consumer food items. Nigeria remains dependent on imports for wheat, malt, fish, milk preparations, and raw materials for manufacturers.

The Central Bank of Nigeria reported that Nigeria spent $2.34 billion on food imports in 2025.