ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) generated more than $500 million in export revenue and provided over 20,000 direct jobs in 2025, underscoring their contribution to export-led growth, industrialisation and employment creation.
These figures were contained in an official review document assessing the performance of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment over the past year, titled ‘2025: A Defining Year for Nigeria’s Industry, Trade and Investment’.
The report noted that export revenues exceeding $500 million were recorded from activities within the SEZs, among other achievements.
According to the ministry, the increase in export earnings was driven by initiatives coordinated by the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, as part of the reform agenda implemented under President Bola Tinubu.
“Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones generated over $500m in export revenues and created more than 20,000 direct jobs, reinforcing their role as engines of export-led growth, industrialisation, and employment generation,” the document stated.
The ministry described 2025 as a pivotal year in Nigeria’s economic repositioning, marked by reforms that strengthened industrial capacity, boosted exports and renewed investor confidence.
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It explained that the gains recorded were the result of coordinated reforms spanning investment attraction, trade expansion, export diversification and institutional strengthening, supported by collaboration among government agencies, the private sector and development partners.
Beyond the performance of the SEZs, the ministry reported notable progress in export-led growth, with non-oil exports increasing by 21 per cent to $12.8 billion in the first half of 2025 nearly double the $6.5 billion target.
The ministry said the export expansion helped generate an N12 trillion trade surplus within the same period, while total trade value grew by 14 per cent, aided by trade facilitation reforms and improved logistics.
“This performance reflects the cumulative impact of targeted trade reforms, improved export processes, and increased value addition across key sectors,” the ministry stated.
The document identified Nigeria’s major non-oil export products as cocoa and cocoa derivatives, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, shea butter, ginger, hibiscus flowers, rubber, palm oil derivatives, fertilisers, cement and liquefied natural gas.
The ministry also noted that, in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, it enhanced export capacity by training 27,352 exporters, certifying 200 micro, small and medium enterprises for international trade, and supporting 3,047 farmers through the distribution of hybrid seedlings.
It further highlighted inclusive trade initiatives, revealing that the Women Export Fund received more than 67,000 applications and awarded grants to 146 women-led businesses.
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On investment performance, the ministry reported a significant turnaround in 2025, with four priority projects valued at $13.7 billion advancing from previously signed Memoranda of Understanding totalling $50.8 billion.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, was said to have led high-level bilateral engagements and trade missions to key economies, efforts that helped deepen investment pipelines and improve investor perception of Nigeria.
“These engagements have delivered tangible gains, enhancing investor confidence, improving deal flow quality, and positioning Nigeria as a credible, reform-driven destination for long-term capital,” the document further stated.
The ministry added that the Federal Government plans to build on the achievements of 2025 in 2026 by prioritising execution, accelerating exports and sustaining investment flows to promote job creation and shared prosperity.