Nigeria has received a major trade boost after the United Kingdom confirmed that nearly 3,000 Nigerian products are now eligible for zero or reduced tariffs under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
- Nigeria benefits from the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, allowing tariff reductions on nearly 3,000 Nigerian products.
- The programme aims to enhance access to the UK’s consumer market and support global trade in developing economies.
- Key industries such as agriculture, textiles, and manufacturing are highlighted as areas for export growth under the scheme.
- The UK is focusing on strengthening trade relations with Africa as part of its post-Brexit strategy.
Launched in 2023, the programme expands Nigeria’s access to the UK’s vast consumer market and reinforces efforts to support developing economies in global trade.
The tariff relief covers key industries with strong export potential that have historically faced cost barriers in competitive markets including agriculture, textiles, leather products, and light manufacturing.
The UK has emphasized that its post-Brexit trade strategy prioritizes Africa, aiming to deepen commercial ties and encourage investment.
“These reforms create an export platform for Nigeria at a time when global tariffs are rising and traditional markets are under pressure,” said Ms. Mujina Kaindama, UK Head of Trade Policy for Nigeria.
Speaking at the UK DCTS Roadshow in Kano organized by Propcon+, in collaboration with the Kano State Government and the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Kaindama added that the scheme will help Nigerian firms connect with UK buyers while promoting value-added production at home. “Exports are not just a policy priority, they are an economic necessity,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Orji Gertrude, Director of the Investment Promotion Department at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, highlighted the close collaboration between both countries since the scheme’s inception.
She noted that efforts have focused on ensuring Nigerian business owners have access to relevant information and can fully leverage the opportunities presented by the DCTS.
A critical trade lifeline as U.S. tariff pressure rises
This announcement arrives at a crucial period when global trade has been reshaped by rising protectionism, especially under U.S. President Donald Trump.
With the U.S. increasingly prioritising tariff barriers and phasing out preferential agreements such as AGOA, Nigeria faces an urgent need to diversify its export partners. The UK’s tariff concessions therefore provide an alternative route at a time when access to traditional markets is under strain.
Trade experts argue that while tariff access is a strong advantage, Nigeria must improve logistics, certification systems and regulatory compliance to fully seize this opportunity. Strengthening manufacturing capacity and supply-chain reliability will be vital in ensuring that Nigerian products meet demand and remain competitive sustainably.
If efficient implementation follows, the DCTS could become one of Nigeria’s most important pathways for boosting non-oil exports and a strategic shield against global tariff turbulence in the years ahead.
