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The Federal Government has stated that Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones
generated over $500m in export revenues and created more than 20,000 direct jobs
in 2025. The SEZs contributed to the country’s efforts to drive export-led
growth, industrialise and provide employment.

An official document reviewing the activities and accomplishments of the Federal
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in the past year, titled ‘2025: A
Defining Year for Nigeria’s Industry, Trade and Investment’, revealed the
country recorded over $500m in export revenues from the SEZs, among others.

The industry, trade and investment ministry noted that the boost in export
earnings came through activities coordinated by the Nigerian Export Processing
Zones Authority and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority as part of reforms
executed under President Bola Tinubu.

“Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones generated over $500m in export revenues and
created more than 20,000 direct jobs, reinforcing their role as engines of
export-led growth, industrialisation, and employment generation,” the document
stated.

The ministry noted that 2025 marked a defining phase in Nigeria’s economic
repositioning, with reforms that deepened industrial capacity, expanded exports
and restored investor confidence.

It explained that the progress recorded reflected coordinated reforms across
investment attraction, trade expansion, export diversification and institutional
strengthening, driven by collaboration among government agencies, the private
sector and development partners.

Beyond the performance of the special economic zones, the ministry reported
strong gains in export-led growth, with non-oil exports rising by 21 per cent to
$12.8bn in the first half of 2025, almost double the $6.5bn target.

It said the export growth contributed to an N12tn trade surplus in the same
period, while overall trade value expanded by 14 per cent, supported by trade
facilitation reforms and improved logistics.

“This performance reflects the cumulative impact of targeted trade reforms,
improved export processes, and increased value addition across key sectors,” the
ministry stated.

Nigeria’s leading non-oil export products, according to the document, included
cocoa and cocoa derivatives, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, shea butter, ginger,
hibiscus flowers, rubber, palm oil derivatives, fertilisers, cement and
liquefied natural gas.

The ministry added that, in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion
Council, it strengthened export capacity by training 27,352 exporters,
certifying 200 micro, small and medium enterprises for international trade and
supporting 3,047 farmers through the distribution of hybrid seedlings.

It also highlighted inclusive trade initiatives, noting that the Women Export
Fund attracted over 67,000 applications and awarded grants to 146 women-led
enterprises.

On broader investment outcomes, the ministry said Nigeria recorded a turnaround
in investment attraction in 2025, with four priority projects valued at $13.7bn
progressing from signed Memoranda of Understanding worth $50.8bn.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, led
high-level bilateral engagements and trade missions to key economies, helping to
deepen investment pipelines and reshape investor perceptions.

“These engagements have delivered tangible gains, enhancing investor confidence,
improving deal flow quality, and positioning Nigeria as a credible,
reform-driven destination for long-term capital,” the document further stated.

The ministry added that the Federal Government would build on the 2025 outcomes
in 2026 by focusing on execution, export acceleration and sustained investment
to drive job creation and shared prosperity.