Nigeria’s Economic Zones Generate Over $500 Million in Exports, Create 20,000 Jobs

The Federal Government has reported that Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones generated over $500 million in export revenues and created more than 20,000 direct jobs in 2025.

According to an official review from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the zones played a key role in advancing the country’s export-led growth and industrialization agenda.

The ministry also highlighted broader trade gains, with non-oil exports rising by 21% to $12.8 billion in the first half of 2025 nearly double the set target. This contributed to a trade surplus of N12 trillion during the same period.

Key export drivers included cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, shea butter, ginger, and liquefied natural gas, among others.

The ministry credited these results to coordinated reforms, improved trade facilitation, and stronger collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. Initiatives such as training over 27,000 exporters and providing grants to women-led enterprises through the Women Export Fund were also noted.

Looking ahead, the government plans to build on these outcomes in 2026 with a continued focus on export growth and investment attraction.