High logistics and energy costs are increasingly forcing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) out of Nigeria’s non-oil export market, according to the newly released 3T Impex Non-Oil Export Index Report 2026.
The report, authored by Bamidele Ayemibo and published by 3T Impex Trade Consulting, analysed 87,824 export transactions recorded between 2021 and 2025, alongside a survey of 94 active non-oil exporters across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Its findings highlight a widening disconnect between growing export activity and the ability of smaller exporters to remain competitive, as rising logistics and energy costs continue to reshape participation within Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.
What the report is saying
According to the report, escalating logistics and energy costs have emerged as major operational pressure points for exporters, with MSMEs carrying the heaviest burden.
- “3T Impex Trade Consulting has officially released the highly anticipated 3T Impex Non-Oil Export Index Report 2026, revealing a striking paradox at the heart of Nigeria’s international trade sector.
- “While exporter confidence and global demand have reached record highs, severe structural bottlenecks — specifically skyrocketing logistics and energy costs — are actively neutralising these gains and pushing smaller exporters out of the market.”
The report revealed that 77.7% of exporters experienced increased inland transportation and port handling costs during the review period.
- The Logistics Benchmark Index stood at 12.8 out of 100, reflecting severe inefficiencies in moving goods from production centres to export terminals.
- About 51.1% of exporters identified electricity and processing costs as their biggest operational challenge.
- Rising operational costs are also forcing some exporters to scale back value addition activities and depend more heavily on raw commodity exports.
According to the report, the combination of logistics bottlenecks and high energy expenses is steadily eroding the competitiveness of smaller exporters within Nigeria’s non-oil export market.
More insights
Despite mounting operational challenges, exporter confidence remained relatively strong during the review period.
- The Business Confidence Index stood at 87.8 out of 100, with 75.5% of exporters reporting sales growth and 91.5% expressing optimism about improving global demand.
- The Predictive Outlook Index also came in at 92.8, indicating that many exporters still intend to expand operations.
However, the report noted a widening gap between positive market expectations and actual operating conditions.
- About 28.7% of exporters reported rejection of goods due to quality and standardisation challenges.
- These compliance issues were linked to weak certification infrastructure and stricter international regulations, including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
The report further showed that although total export value rose by 93% in 2025, the number of export transactions declined from 18,280 in 2021 to 16,683 in 2025.
This, according to the report, suggests that larger exporters are increasingly capturing a bigger share of export value while MSMEs gradually lose market participation.
What you should know
Nigeria’s non-oil exports recorded significant growth in 2025, reaching N12.36 trillion between January and December, according to the latest Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The figure represents a sharp increase from N9.09 trillion recorded in 2024, reflecting stronger performance across several non-oil export segments.
- Non-oil exports stood at N3.14 trillion in 2022 before declining to N2.56 trillion in 2023.
- Export earnings rebounded strongly to N9.09 trillion in 2024 and climbed further to N12.36 trillion in 2025.
- Mineral products accounted for the largest share of export earnings at N73.46 trillion, followed by prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits, vinegar, and tobacco at N3.88 trillion.
Products from the chemical and allied industries contributed N3.37 trillion, while vegetable products generated N1.54 trillion in export earnings.
Other export categories also posted notable contributions, including vehicles and aircraft parts at N1.10 trillion, base metals at N646.16 billion, plastics and rubber products at N244.17 billion, and machinery and industrial appliances at N207.48 billion.
