Why Nigeria is losing billions in gum arabic export 

​Nigeria’s ambition to become a global leader in the production and export of gum arabic is being undermined by a combination of insecurity, climate change, poor government investment, inadequate processing facilities and weak support for farmers. This stagnation persists despite growing international demand for the commodity and the country’s vast ecological advantage.

​An investigation shows that although Nigeria earned $3.42 million from the export of 2.62 million kilograms of natural gum arabic in 2025, the figure represents only a fraction of the foreign exchange the country could generate if the sector received the same policy attention as other agricultural export commodities. Data from the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) indicate that Germany remained Nigeria’s largest export destination by value, importing 619,566 kilograms worth about $1.83 million. India followed with 1.18 million kilograms valued at $933,000, while Pakistan imported 716,172 kilograms worth $419,570. Smaller quantities were exported to Turkey, Italy and the United Kingdom.

​Reliance on wild harvesting hinders growth
​Findings reveal that the country’s gum arabic industry remains largely dependent on harvesting naturally occurring Acacia trees instead of cultivating commercial plantations. This reliance limits productivity and makes production vulnerable to environmental degradation and insecurity.

A study by Godwin Sagay and Chinye Samuel Mesike of the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria found that commercial expansion has been slowed by poor plantation development, inadequate farmer support, limited access to finance, low investment, poor extension services and insufficient processing capacity.

​The study, which surveyed 1,184 farmers across 15 producing states, found that nearly half of producers had no formal education, which limits the adoption of improved production techniques. It also showed that while Nigeria possesses about 2.45 million hectares of naturally occurring gum-bearing forests, government plantations cover only about 1,625 hectares, with another 9,766 hectares under private ownership.

​Security and climate threats to production

Insecurity has become one of the greatest threats to production. Major producing states, including Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto, have witnessed insurgency and bandit attacks that have forced many farmers to abandon plantations and restricted access to forests where gum arabic is harvested. Climate change is equally worsening the situation, as prolonged drought, rising temperatures and advancing desertification reduce tree regeneration and gum yields across several northern communities.

​Another major setback is the absence of organised plantation development. Unlike Sudan and several other producing countries that have invested heavily in commercial plantations, Nigeria still depends largely on wild trees. The absence of coordinated replanting programmes means ageing trees are gradually disappearing without adequate replacement. Poor access to affordable credit has also discouraged commercial investment, while inadequate rural roads, storage facilities and processing plants continue to reduce farmers’ earnings.

​Value chain development and economic potential

Most of Nigeria’s gum arabic is exported in its raw form, allowing foreign processors to capture much of the value added through purification and industrial processing for use in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles and printing. Experts suggest that establishing processing plants in Nigeria could significantly increase export earnings while creating thousands of skilled and semi-skilled jobs. Aminu Alhassan Fagge, an expert at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, stated that Nigeria possesses enormous ecological potential to dominate the African gum arabic market but lacks a coordinated national strategy.

​Fagge noted that gum arabic should no longer be viewed as a minor forest product but as a strategic non-oil export capable of generating sustainable foreign exchange. Beyond export earnings, he explained that expanding Acacia plantations would help combat desertification, restore degraded lands, improve soil fertility and strengthen climate resilience across northern Nigeria. He advocated for massive government investment in improved seedlings, commercial plantations, irrigation, farmer training and research to develop higher-yielding and climate-resilient Acacia varieties.

​For farmers, the challenges are immediate. Kano-based farmer Zainab Manzo noted that many rural producers have little access to improved seedlings, extension officers or affordable loans. She emphasised that with proper government support, many young people could be attracted to gum arabic cultivation, thereby reducing unemployment and improving household incomes.

​Ultimately, stakeholders argue that encouraging gum arabic production would deliver benefits beyond foreign exchange.

Commercial plantation development could create thousands of jobs in seedling production, harvesting, transportation, processing, packaging and export logistics. Expansion of the sector would also diversify Nigeria’s export base away from crude oil, increase rural incomes and provide raw materials for domestic manufacturers.

Researchers recommend that the Federal Government classify gum arabic as a priority export crop by introducing subsidised seedlings, low-interest loans, tax incentives for processors and grants for commercial plantation establishment.