Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) generated more than $500 million in export revenues and created over 20,000 direct jobs in 2025, underscoring their growing importance in the government’s strategy to diversify the economy away from oil and towards export-led growth, according to a new official review.
The performance forms part of broader reforms under the administration of Bola Tinubu, aimed at strengthening industrial capacity, boosting investor confidence and expanding non-oil exports. The findings were published by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in a review titled 2025: A Defining Year for Nigeria’s Industry, Trade and Investment.
“Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones generated over $500 million in export revenues and created more than 20,000 direct jobs, reinforcing their role as engines of export-led growth, industrialisation and employment creation,” the report said. It credited coordinated efforts by the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority for the gains.
The SEZ results came amid strong momentum in Nigeria’s external trade. Non-oil exports rose by about 21% to $12.8 billion in the first half of 2025—almost double the government’s internal target of $6.5 billion for the period—helping to generate a trade surplus of roughly ₦12 trillion. Officials attributed the improvement to stronger export performance alongside better trade facilitation and logistics.
According to the review, increased value addition in agriculture and manufacturing played a key role. Nigeria’s leading non-oil export earners included cocoa and cocoa derivatives, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, shea butter, ginger, hibiscus flowers, rubber, processed palm oil, fertilisers and cement, alongside liquefied natural gas.
Exporter capacity-building also featured prominently. Working with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the ministry said more than 27,000 exporters were trained during the year, 200 micro, small and medium enterprises were certified for international markets, and over 3,000 farmers received hybrid seedlings. An inclusive trade initiative, the Women Export Fund, attracted more than 67,000 applications and awarded grants to 146 women-led businesses.
On the investment front, the ministry reported a gradual recovery in foreign interest, with four priority projects worth a combined $13.7 billion progressing from memorandum-of-understanding stages towards implementation. These projects form part of a broader investment pipeline initially valued at more than $50.8 billion.
Officials said structured engagement with investors and high-level trade missions had helped improve deal quality and reshape perceptions of Nigeria’s business environment, positioning the country as a more credible destination for long-term capital.
Analysts note that the improved performance of SEZs and the wider export upswing reflect ongoing efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy, reduce dependence on crude oil revenues and strengthen foreign exchange inflows. While challenges around infrastructure and competitiveness persist, the government says it plans to build on the gains of 2025 by accelerating export execution and sustaining investment flows to support job creation and more inclusive growth.