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.
