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China, US Lead Nigeria’s Top Trade Partners in Q1 2026

Nigeria’s foreign trade remained active in the first quarter of 2026, with the country’s biggest trade relationships concentrated across Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa.

Trade data showed that Nigeria’s leading partners accounted for a large share of total merchandise trade during the quarter. The figures also reflected the continued importance of crude oil, gas, agricultural products, fertilisers, machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals and manufactured goods in shaping Nigeria’s trade flows.

Asia remained the strongest region in Nigeria’s trade structure, led by China and India. Europe also maintained a strong presence through the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, while the United States remained Nigeria’s biggest partner in the Americas.

Within Africa, ECOWAS countries recorded stronger trade with Nigeria, pointing to growing regional trade activity.

Below are Nigeria’s top 10 foreign trade partners in Q1 2026, ranked from first to tenth based on total trade value.

1. China: ₦5.68 Trillion

China remained Nigeria’s largest foreign trade partner in the first quarter of 2026, with total trade valued at ₦5.68 trillion.

Imports from China accounted for most of the trade, reaching ₦5.10 trillion, while Nigeria’s exports to China stood at ₦582.20 billion.

This left Nigeria with a trade deficit of ₦4.51 trillion with China during the period.

China’s dominance reflects its position as Nigeria’s major source of machinery, electronics, industrial equipment, chemicals and manufactured goods. Nigeria’s exports to China, however, remained largely concentrated in mineral and energy-related products.

Although total trade with China dropped from ₦6.20 trillion in Q4 2025, it was still higher than the ₦4.96 trillion recorded in Q1 2025.

China retained its position as Nigeria’s top trading partner in Q1 2026, the same position it held in Q4 2025.

2. United States: ₦3.98 Trillion

The United States ranked as Nigeria’s second-largest trade partner in Q1 2026, with total trade valued at ₦3.98 trillion.

Nigeria imported goods worth ₦2.81 trillion from the United States, while exports to the U.S. stood at ₦1.18 trillion.

This created a trade deficit of ₦1.63 trillion for Nigeria.

The United States remained a major source of industrial goods, machinery, energy-related products and agricultural imports. It also continued to serve as an important destination for some Nigerian exports.

Trade between both countries rose from ₦2.51 trillion in Q4 2025 and ₦2.97 trillion in Q1 2025.

The U.S. moved up from fourth position in Q4 2025 and third position in Q1 2025 to become Nigeria’s second-largest trade partner in the first quarter of 2026.

3. India: ₦3.76 Trillion

India remained one of Nigeria’s most important trade partners, with total trade reaching ₦3.76 trillion in Q1 2026.

Nigeria imported goods worth ₦992.87 billion from India, while exports to the country stood at ₦2.77 trillion.

This gave Nigeria a trade surplus of ₦1.78 trillion.

India continues to be a major buyer of Nigerian crude oil, liquefied natural gas and agricultural commodities. At the same time, Nigeria imports pharmaceuticals, machinery and manufactured products from India.

Trade with India increased from ₦2.94 trillion in Q4 2025, although it was lower than the ₦5.15 trillion recorded in Q1 2025.

India ranked third in Q1 2026, the same position it held in Q4 2025, after dropping from first place in Q1 2025.

4. ECOWAS Countries: ₦2.27 Trillion

Trade between Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states reached ₦2.27 trillion in Q1 2026.

Nigeria’s exports to ECOWAS countries stood at ₦2.20 trillion, while imports from the region were much lower at ₦65.91 billion.

This gave Nigeria a trade surplus of ₦2.14 trillion with the West African bloc.

The figures show Nigeria’s strong role as a supplier within the sub-region. Exports to ECOWAS countries included cigarettes, lithium-ion accumulators, cement clinkers and solid minerals excluding white cement.

Trade with ECOWAS countries rose from ₦2.09 trillion in Q4 2025 and almost doubled the ₦1.16 trillion recorded in Q1 2025.

ECOWAS climbed from sixth place in Q4 2025 and eighth place in Q1 2025 to fourth place in Q1 2026.

5. Netherlands: ₦2.13 Trillion

The Netherlands ranked as Nigeria’s fifth-largest trade partner in Q1 2026, with total trade valued at ₦2.13 trillion.

Nigeria’s exports to the Netherlands stood at ₦1.95 trillion, while imports from the country were valued at ₦174.63 billion.

This resulted in a trade surplus of ₦1.78 trillion for Nigeria.

The Netherlands remained one of Nigeria’s major European trade partners. Nigeria’s exports included cocoa products and soya beans, while imports included frozen herrings meat.

However, trade with the Netherlands dropped from ₦3.55 trillion in Q4 2025 and was also lower than the ₦2.82 trillion recorded in Q1 2025.

The country ranked second in Q4 2025 and fourth in Q1 2025 before falling to fifth in Q1 2026.

6. France: ₦2.10 Trillion

France was Nigeria’s sixth-largest foreign trade partner in Q1 2026, with total trade valued at ₦2.10 trillion.

Exports from Nigeria to France reached ₦1.97 trillion, while imports stood at ₦132.20 billion.

This gave Nigeria a trade surplus of ₦1.83 trillion.

Nigeria’s trade with France was driven partly by agricultural products, including flours and meals of soya beans.

Trade with France rose from ₦1.67 trillion in Q1 2025 and ₦1.60 trillion in Q4 2025, making France one of the stronger-growing trade partners among Nigeria’s top 10 during the quarter.

France moved from seventh place in Q4 2025 to sixth place in Q1 2026.

7. Spain: ₦1.81 Trillion

Nigeria’s total trade with Spain stood at ₦1.81 trillion in Q1 2026.

Exports accounted for most of the trade at ₦1.63 trillion, while imports were below ₦180.11 billion.

This left Nigeria with a trade surplus of ₦1.45 trillion.

Spain remained an important European trade partner for Nigeria, although total trade declined from ₦2.31 trillion recorded in Q4 2025.

On a year-on-year basis, however, trade rose from ₦1.68 trillion in Q1 2025.

Imports from Spain included solid minerals such as gypsum, granite and plasters.

Spain ranked fifth in both Q4 2025 and Q1 2025 but dropped to seventh position in Q1 2026.

8. Italy: ₦1.02 Trillion

Italy returned to Nigeria’s top 10 trade partners in Q1 2026, with total trade valued at ₦1.02 trillion.

Nigeria exported goods worth ₦800.25 billion to Italy, while imports from Italy stood at ₦215.51 billion.

This produced a trade surplus of ₦584.74 billion for Nigeria.

Italy remained a key European destination for Nigerian energy exports and industrial commodities such as leather and natural rubber. Imports from Italy included used vehicles.

Although trade with Italy declined from ₦1.46 trillion in Q1 2025, it improved from ₦616.53 billion in Q4 2025.

Italy was absent from the top 10 list in Q4 2025 but returned in Q1 2026.

9. Canada: ₦775.40 Billion

Trade between Nigeria and Canada reached ₦775.40 billion in the first quarter of 2026.

Nigeria’s exports to Canada stood at ₦670.29 billion, while imports from Canada were valued at ₦105.11 billion.

This gave Nigeria a trade surplus of ₦565.17 billion.

Canada remained an important destination for Nigerian agricultural-related exports, including superior quality cocoa beans and soya beans. Nigeria’s imports from Canada included durum wheat, motorcycles and used vehicles.

Total trade with Canada declined from ₦1.13 trillion in Q4 2025 and ₦900.46 billion in Q1 2025.

Canada held ninth position in Q1 2026, the same rank it held in Q4 2025, after moving up from tenth place in Q1 2025.