The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) seems to target rubber, palm oil, and seafoods in the south-south in the push to double non-oil export in 2025.
Nigeria recorded $5.43bn in non-oil export in 2024 and has vowed to double the figure in 2025, thus hoping to hit above $10bn.
To achieve the target, NEPC has created an initiative called ‘Operation Double Your Export’ around Nigeria which has touched down in the south-south at Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a welcome remark at the Aldgate Congress Hotel in Port Harcourt Thursday, February 20, 2025, Bennet Itegbe, the south-south regional coordinator, on behalf of the CEO of NEPC, said the region contributed significantly to the $5.43bn of 2024 through rubber, palm oil, and seafood exports 60% of which is said to have originated from the region.
Welcoming cooperative societies and the Rivers State cluster at the one-day workshop on the theme: ‘Export Development Agenda Setting Workshop’ with focus on ‘Operation Double Your Export’, the regional coordinator said it is central to the renewed national conversation on Nigeria’s economic diversification.
Read also: How NEPC builds structure to double non-oil export in Port Harcourt zone
Itegbe said gathering in the Niger Delta is imperative enough to look beyond oil and harness the full potential of the region’s non-oil exports by charting a new course for the region such as prioritizing industrialization, value addition, and strategic market expansion for globally competitive exports.
As Nigeria now focusses on value addition (processing), the Architect said the Niger Delta holds an untapped but comparative advantage in several high-value export commodities.
Cocoa is found in commercial quantity in Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states. With global demand for sustainably sourced cocoa on the rise, the regional coordinator said the Niger Delta has the potential to dominate premium markets through traceability and certification compliance.
On rubber, Itegbe named Edo, Delta, Cross River, Ondo, and Bayelsa states as the key states saying with global rubber prices rising due to supply chain disruptions in Asia, now is the time to reposition the Niger Delta as a top supplier to European and Asian markets.
On palm oil and derivatives, he named Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo states as the hope for Nigeria. “As the world seeks deforestation-free and ethically sourced palm oil, the Niger Delta has the potential to become a leading supplier of sustainable palm oil and oleochemicals.”
Itegbe said seafood and aquaculture are heavy in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states, adding that with increasing demand for shrimp, catfish, and tilapia in international markets, Niger Delta’s aquaculture industry can become a billion-dollar sector through improved standards and certification.
Over the last year, he went on, Nigeria’s non-oil export sector has demonstrated significant resilience and growth: “Non-oil exports from Nigeria reached $5.43 billion in 2024, with the Niger Delta contributing significantly to the total value. Processed and value-added exports from Niger Delta clusters grew significantly, signaling an encouraging shift towards industrialization and economic transformation.”
Globally, he noted, three major trends are shaping the future of exports: “The Green Economy and Sustainable Supply Chains – Markets in Europe and North America are shifting towards deforestation-free, climate-smart products, creating an opportunity for the Niger Delta to tap into premium, high-value markets for cocoa, rubber, and palm oil.
“Intra-African Trade through AfCFTA – The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is opening new export markets for processed goods from the region, allowing businesses in the Niger Delta to become competitive suppliers within Africa.
“Digital Trade and E-Commerce – Exporters in the region can now leverage digital platforms and fintech solutions to access global buyers, particularly for agro-processed, seafood, and handicraft exports.”
He revealed what he called key enablers for doubling non-oil exports from the Niger Delta in 2025. “To achieve our goal of doubling non-oil exports in 2025, we must prioritize: strengthening production clusters and agro-industrial processing zones. The region must move beyond raw material exports to processing and value-added production for global competitiveness.
“Improving market linkages: We will intensify efforts to connect exporters with premium buyers, global distributors, and trade partners. “Enhancing quality standards and certifications: We must fast-track compliance with EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation), fair trade, organic certification, and other global quality standards to access high-value markets.
“Export finance and trade facilitation: NEPC is working with financial institutions to expand access to credit by bringing structure to clusters, ensuring that businesses in the region are bankable and financially included.
“Policy and regulatory support: We will continue to advocate for export-friendly policies particularly around reducing export bottlenecks, improving logistics, and ensuring seamless trade facilitation for exportable products.”
He said the success of this agenda depends on collaboration, innovation, and collective action. “I invite all stakeholders—government agencies, financial institutions, export businesses, and development partners—to work together in making 2025 a transformative year for the non-oil exports. Together, let us unlock the full potential of the South-south in the beyond oil era.”
Highlight of the workshop was a presentation by Evelyn Kobo, an assistant director, on agenda setting on export market development for cooperatives.
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