Nigeria becomes US’ second-largest trading partner in sub-saharan Africa with $15bn trade in 2025
Nigeria has emerged as the United States’ second-largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa after bilateral trade between both countries reached nearly $15 billion in 2025, according to a report by TheCable.
The disclosure was made by Keith Heffern, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Mission in Nigeria, during the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebration held in Lagos on Wednesday.
Heffern said the US government has placed trade and investment at the centre of its engagement with African countries, noting that commercial relations with Nigeria continue to expand.
He revealed that trade between the two countries grew by 14 per cent compared to 2024, describing the figures as evidence of stronger economic ties.
“In 2025, two-way trade between our countries reached nearly $15 billion, a 14 per cent increase over 2024. These are not just numbers. With more than 100 US companies operating in Nigeria, they represent jobs, opportunities and economic transformation for both Americans and Nigerians,” he said.
According to him, one of the priorities of the US Mission is to support American businesses operating in Nigeria.
Heffern also highlighted the implementation of the five-year US-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding between the US government and Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
He said the initiative, now in its second year, has brought together nearly 50 American and Nigerian companies to address barriers to trade and investment through private sector collaboration.
He noted that the partnership recorded a milestone in January when Lagos hosted its first ministerial-level meeting and has since focused on strengthening cooperation in agriculture, the digital economy and infrastructure.
Beyond commerce, Heffern said security collaboration between both countries remains critical to promoting stability and creating an enabling environment for economic growth.
He cited the recent collaboration between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which led to the dismantling of a major transnational criminal network involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.
The envoy further disclosed that the US is making one of its largest global investments in Lagos, describing it as a reflection of Washington’s confidence in Nigeria.
TheCable also reported that in April, the US government announced expanded support for agricultural trade with Nigeria through the US Department of Agriculture’s Export Credit Guarantee Programme (GSM-102).
