US Nigeria Trade Partnership gains momentum as both countries reaffirm commitment to boost investment, exports and private sector growth

The United States and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trade and investment relations under the US Nigeria Trade Partnership, a five-year framework designed to strengthen bilateral commerce and promote private sector-led growth.

Also read: US, Nigeria arms deal approved worth $346m

The reaffirmation followed a ministerial meeting of the US Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership held in Lagos and was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.

The meeting was co-chaired by the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary for the US Commercial Service, Bradley McKinney, and Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole.

Mr McKinney said the partnership was already delivering concrete progress across key sectors, describing the engagement as a powerful step in advancing economic cooperation between both countries.

“This ministerial meeting underscores significant advancements in the vital US Nigeria commercial and investment partnership,” he said.

“Over the past six months, the Agriculture, Digital Economy and Infrastructure Working Groups have engaged across government and industry and developed thoughtful, practical proposals to unlock trade and deepen the bilateral commercial relationship.”

Dr Oduwole welcomed the US delegation and urged American companies to expand investments in Nigeria’s priority sectors, highlighting the country’s strategic position as a gateway to the wider African market.

“We are pleased with the continued strong relationship with the United States, evidenced by this high-level engagement,” she said.

“We welcome US businesses to invest in our priority sectors and benefit from trading with Nigeria through to the African continent.”

The minister said Nigeria remains focused on diversifying its export base beyond crude oil, identifying non-oil exports as a central pillar of the government’s trade strategy.

“A central priority for us is to accelerate non-oil export diversification and ensure that more Nigerian businesses can access US markets in a way that is competitive, sustainable and inclusive,” Dr Oduwole said.

She added that since the launch of the CIP working groups in June 2025, Nigeria has sustained momentum on business climate reforms, strengthening competitiveness and aligning investment, industrial and trade policies to create a more predictable and investible economy.

Officials from both countries said consultations would continue across a wide range of trade and investment issues, including expanding trade in goods and services and boosting investment flows to drive prosperity and job creation on both sides.

Also read: Nigeria, U.S. strengthen cooperation on religious freedom, security

Nigeria is currently the United States’ second-largest trading partner in Africa. Two-way trade in goods and services approached 13 billion dollars in 2024, while US foreign direct investment in Nigeria stood at 7.9 billion dollars during the same period.