Business
NESG Urges Diversion of Nigeria’s Trade Amidst U.S and China Tariffs War
Given Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported manufactured goods and raw materials, NESG warns that the country could face significant economic challenges if these trade tensions escalate further
▪︎Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has stressed the need for Nigeria to divert its trade pattern towards countries that are unaffected by the U.S. tariffs.
The NESG made the call in its latest Foreign Trade Alert: 2024Q4 & Full Year 2024.
The report highlighted Nigeria’s vulnerability to global trade disruptions, particularly in its import-dependent industrial sector.
“The trade war between the U.S. and China needs to be hedged against. This would reduce tariff-induced increases in import bills, considering that the country’s import-dependent non-oil industrial sector is highly vulnerable,” the report noted.
The United States imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports in February 2025, with plans to increase it by another 10% in April.
In retaliation, China announced additional tariffs of 10-15% on certain U.S. imports starting March 10, 2025, along with a series of export restrictions targeting designated U.S. entities.
These measures are expected to disrupt global supply chains, slow world trade growth, and drive up the prices of globally traded commodities.
Given Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported manufactured goods and raw materials, NESG warns that the country could face significant economic challenges if these trade tensions escalate further.
China remained Nigeria’s largest trading partner in Q4 2024, followed by India, Belgium, the U.S., and France.
The most imported commodities during the period included refined petroleum products, sugar cane, and spare parts.
However, Nigeria’s reliance on imports, particularly from China, makes it susceptible to price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions stemming from the U.S.-China trade conflict.
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,380. 11
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,818.34
EURO (EUR) ₦1,566.84
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,698.80
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.53
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦202. 99
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.39
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,866. 38
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦367.54
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦83.65
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 392 Sell ₦1, 395
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,850 Sell: ₦1,865
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1, 580 Sell ₦1,600
CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,030 Sell ₦1,100
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370
CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 380 Sell ₦2, 460
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 220 Sell 2,300
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,380.08
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,815. 63
EURO (EUR) ₦1,566.63
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,696.05
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.53
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦202.62
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.38
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,858. 54
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦367.58
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82. 91
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 390 Sell ₦1, 395
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,845 Sell: ₦1,865
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1, 580 Sell ₦1,600
CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,030 Sell ₦1,100
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370
CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 380 Sell ₦2, 460
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 220 Sell 2,300
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has strongly rejected allegations that its refined petroleum products are exported to Lomé, Togo, and later re-imported into Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the refinery described the claims as “a web of falsehoods,” “baseless,” and “unsubstantiated,” arguing they lack commercial logic and contradict its core business objectives of boosting local production and achieving energy self-sufficiency.
The refinery emphasized that its sales contracts and tender terms explicitly prohibit buyers from reselling or re-importing the products back into Nigeria. It further noted that available trade data and the high costs of round-trip shipping (estimated at US$68–90 per ton) make such a scheme economically unviable.
The allegations surfaced amid reports suggesting that a significant portion of Nigeria’s seaborne fuel imports between March and May 2026 originated from Dangote products rerouted through the offshore ship-to-ship trading hub in Lomé.
Some marketers claimed pricing differences made it cheaper to buy from foreign traders via Togo.
Dangote Refinery dismissed these assertions, insisting there is no evidence to support them and reaffirming its commitment to supplying high-quality fuels directly to the Nigerian market at competitive prices.
The development highlights ongoing tensions as the refinery continues to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports.
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