US Envoy Highlights Nigeria's Role as Second-Biggest Sub-Saharan Trade Partner

The United States has declared Nigeria its second-most significant trading partner within Sub-Saharan Africa, with bilateral trade volumes nearing an impressive $15 billion in 2025. This significant announcement was made by Keith Heffern, the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Mission in Nigeria, during the celebration of the 250th Independence Day of the United States, held in Lagos on Wednesday.

Speaking on the robust bilateral relationship, Heffern underscored the critical importance of commerce and investment as core elements of US engagement across the African continent, identifying Nigeria as a crucial economic ally. He stated, “Nigeria is now the United States' second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.” He further elaborated on the figures, noting, “In 2025, two-way trade between our countries reached nearly $15 billion, a 14 per cent increase over 2024. These aren't just numbers. With more than 100 US companies operating in Nigeria, they represent jobs, opportunities and economic transformation for Americans and Nigerians. One of our key priorities at the US Mission in Nigeria is helping US companies succeed in this market.”

Heffern also detailed how the US government has collaborated with Nigeria's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to implement a five-year Memorandum of Understanding, establishing the US-Nigerian Commercial and Investment Partnership. Now in its second year, this program serves as a vital platform for bolstering commercial links between both nations.

“As a private sector-led initiative, we have nearly 50 US and Nigerian companies uniting business leaders and policymakers to remove barriers to trade and investment,” Heffern explained. He additionally mentioned that Lagos hosted the inaugural ministerial-level meeting under this partnership in January. This collaboration has propelled advancements in key sectors such as agriculture, the digital economy, and infrastructure, all aimed at fostering long-term economic expansion and mutual prosperity.

Beyond economic ties, Heffern drew attention to security cooperation as another foundational aspect of the relationship. He cited a recent success from earlier this year where the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), working alongside the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), successfully dismantled a significant transnational criminal organization involved in narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

Concluding his remarks, the US envoy commended the strides made in the partnership between Nigeria and the US, adding that Washington is currently making one of its most substantial global investments in Lagos. He further recalled that in April, the US government announced enhanced backing for agricultural trade with Nigeria through the Export Credit Guarantee Programme (GSM-102), managed by the US Department of Agriculture.