Nigeria’s top 10 import trading partners in Q3 2025

Nigeria’s import landscape in Q3 2025 remained heavily concentrated around a familiar group of global partners, with total imports hitting N161.23 trillion for the quarter, highlighting the scale of Nigeria’s dependence on foreign supplies amid weak local manufacturing capacity and rising consumption pressures.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), just ten countries accounted for N12.76 trillion worth of imports combined, representing 7.91% of Nigeria’s total import trade in the quarter.

This marked a 23.78% increase compared to the N10.31 trillion recorded from the same group in Q3 2024.

At the top of the list is China, which continues to dominate Nigeria’s import landscape, followed closely by the United States and India.

Below is a breakdown of Nigeria’s top ten trade partners in terms of imports in Q3 2025 

Germany — N279.82 billion

Germany rounded off the top ten list, supplying N279.82 billion worth of goods to Nigeria in Q3 2025.

Imports from Germany typically included vehicles, machine tools, electrical systems, and industrial components, reflecting Nigeria’s continued dependence on advanced manufacturing inputs.

Top import products from Germany:

• Sheets for veneering — N43.1 million
• Other salt not specified — N78.45 million
• Frozen blue whiting fish meat — N5.99 billion

France — N289.79 billion

France ranked ninth, with imports valued at N289.79 billion in Q3 2025.

Goods imported from France spanned chemicals, power-sector equipment, automobiles, and luxury consumer products, underscoring France’s role in supplying both industrial and consumer-oriented items.

The single largest import item from France was preparations of milk containing vegetable fats and oils, valued at N5.03 billion, reflecting strong demand in Nigeria’s food and beverage sector.

Top import product from France amongst others:

• Prep. of milk containing vegetable fats and oils — N5.03 billion

United Kingdom — N352.13 billion

Imports from the United Kingdom stood at N352.13 billion in the quarter, placing the country eighth on the list.

The UK continues to supply Nigeria with a broad mix of pharmaceuticals, vehicle parts, beverages, machinery, and electrical equipment, maintaining long-standing trade ties.

Top import product from UK amongst others:

• Other additives for lubricating oils — N24.85 billion

Brazil — N395.90 billion

Brazil ranked seventh, exporting goods worth N395.90 billion to Nigeria in Q3 2025.

Trade between both countries is largely driven by agricultural produce, particularly sugar, alongside industrial raw materials, tractors, and processed food items.

Top import products from Brazil:

• Other salt not specified — N6.40 billion
• Cane sugar meant for sugar refinery — N247.91 billion

The Netherlands — N577.14 billion

The Netherlands emerged as Nigeria’s sixth-largest import partner, with imports totaling N577.14 billion in Q3 2025.

The country is a key supplier of industrial machinery, refined petroleum products, and agricultural inputs, reflecting it a major European trading and logistics hub.

Top import products from the Netherlands:

• Frozen jack and horse mackerel — N4.03 billion
• Frozen blue whiting fish meat — N23.82 billion
• Other additives for lubricating oils — N7.31 billion

Belgium — N690.22 billion

Belgium maintained its position as a major gateway for European goods into Nigeria, with imports valued at N690.22 billion in the quarter.

Imports from Belgium were largely driven by petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, and processed food items.

Top import products from Belgium:

• Motor spirit (ordinary petrol) — N556.74 billion
• Malt (not roasted) — N8.41 billion
• Unused postage and revenue stamps — N8.01 billion
• Other mechanical appliances — N6.19 billion

United Arab Emirates — N790.66 billion

The UAE ranked fourth, supplying N790.66 billion worth of goods to Nigeria in Q3 2025.

Imports from the UAE were driven mainly by refined petroleum products, alongside vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and household goods—a reflection of the country’s role as a major re-export hub.

Top import products from UAE:

• Gas oil — N581.79 billion
• Used diesel vehicles (>2500cc) — N13.67 billion
• Agricultural tractors — N13.48 billion
• CKD petrol vehicles — N12.68 billion

India — N1.38 trillion

India ranked third, with imports totaling N1.38 trillion.

India remains a critical supplier of pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum products, motorcycles, auto parts, agricultural machinery, and steel-related products.

Top import products from India:

• Gas oil — N680.98 billion
• Other medicaments not elsewhere specified— N86.45 billion
• CKD motor vehicles — N55.43 billion
• CKD motorcycles — N41.90 billion

United States of America — N3.22 trillion

The United States emerged as Nigeria’s second-largest import partner in Q3 2025, with imports valued at N3.22 trillion.

American exports to Nigeria were heavily concentrated in crude petroleum, used vehicles, wheat, petrochemicals, and industrial materials.

Top import products from US:

• Crude petroleum oils — N2.31 trillion
• Used diesel vehicles (>2500cc) — N184.21 billion
• Durum wheat — N164.39 billion
• Used diesel vehicles (1500–2500cc) — N38.15 billion

China — N4.78 trillion

China retained its position as Nigeria’s largest import partner by a wide margin, supplying N4.78 trillion worth of goods in Q3 2025.

China’s dominance reflects Nigeria’s strong dependence on machinery, telecommunications equipment, industrial chemicals, automobile parts, and renewable-energy components.

Top import products from China:

• Bus and lorry tyres — N110.29 billion
• Telecom transmission machines — N105.46 billion
• Photovoltaic solar panels — N75.34 billion
• Road tractors for semi-trailers — N73.52 billion

What the numbers mean for Nigeria 

The combined N12.76 trillion imported altogether from these ten countries highlights just how concentrated Nigeria’s trade relationships remain, particularly in manufactured, industrial, and technology-driven goods.

With China, the US, and India alone accounting for 5.82% of the total trade and more than half of the combined value of the top ten countries, any disruption in these supply chains could quickly translate into higher prices, production bottlenecks, and supply shortages domestically.

For policymakers, the Q3 2025 data reinforces the urgency of deepening local manufacturing capacity, especially in areas such as machinery, auto components, plastics, and telecom hardware. At the same time, the scale and diversity of imports also present opportunities for technology transfer, targeted investment, and export-linked industrial policies that could gradually reduce Nigeria’s import dependence over the medium term.