September 15, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s exports to the United States fell sharply from $639 million in June 2025 to $379 million in July, a 41 per cent decline in one month, according to data from the US Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis.
US exports to Nigeria also dropped, sliding from $919 million in June to $584 million in July. The slump followed Washington’s introduction of new tariffs under President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” trade policy, which raised levies on Nigerian goods from 14 to 15 per cent.
Despite the fall, the US retained a trade surplus with Nigeria of $206 million in July, only slightly below June’s $280 million.
Between January and July, America exported $3.92 billion worth of goods to Nigeria while importing $3.14 billion, leaving a cumulative surplus of $781 million.
Across Africa, US imports rose from $3.67 billion in June to $4.47 billion in July, while exports slipped to $3.30 billion. That left Washington with a $1.17 billion trade deficit in July, compared to a $302 million shortfall the previous month.
Country data showed mixed outcomes. The US maintained a trade surplus with Egypt, exporting $847 million against imports of $290 million.
However, South Africa deepened Washington’s deficit, exporting $1.99 billion to the US against $565 million in American sales, widening the monthly gap to $1.42 billion and bringing the year-to-date deficit with Pretoria to $7.74 billion.
In Nigeria, the sharp drop in exports has raised concerns over the resilience of its trade strategy. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said Abuja would not retaliate but instead double down on reforms.
“Nigeria remains responsive; we’re not reacting. We’re focused on the eight-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu. We will continue to support domestic investors and expand market access for Nigerian businesses,” she said.
Oduwole identified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key pillar of Nigeria’s long-term approach, noting that non-oil exports grew 24 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, showing progress in the government’s diversification drive.
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