Nigeria recorded $10bn trade surplus with EU in 2025 — Envoy
By Kunle Sanni –
Nigeria posted a trade surplus of about $10 billion with the European Union (EU) in 2025, driven largely by rising agricultural exports that significantly outpaced imports, according to the EU ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot.
Mignot disclosed the figures on Wednesday in Abuja during an end-of-year briefing on the bloc’s activities. He said the trade balance reinforces the EU’s position as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and the main destination for the country’s non-oil and gas exports.
The surplus, he noted, represents roughly one-third of Nigeria’s total foreign direct investment stock, although national statistics often understate the scale of EU engagement because they record transactions from member states individually.
The envoy also highlighted ongoing EU-supported projects, including the €410 million OMI-EKO initiative aimed at developing an electric public waterways transport system in Lagos. France is providing €360 million of the project’s financing.
Beyond infrastructure, Mignot outlined several investments across health, culture, and regional stability. These include €41 million in health sector support, a €30 million Africa-Europe culture partnership with strong West African and Nigerian participation, and more than €100 million in programmes with ECOWAS on peace, security, governance, and efforts to expand opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Mignot said the EU and Nigeria held their first trade and investment dialogue earlier this year to address barriers and unlock untapped economic potential.
According to a report by The Cable newspaper, he described EU-funded initiatives as long-term and sustainable, adding that the bloc aims to support development without creating dependency or excessive debt.
He noted that Nigeria’s size and economic influence make it central to EU-Africa relations. The EU intends to deepen cooperation through its Global Gateway investment strategy, which focuses on supporting green, digital, and inclusive development across partner countries.
