Nigeria leads Africa in US crude exports despite overall decline
Nigeria has emerged as the top African supplier of crude oil to the United States, commanding over half of the continent’s exports to the US. According to recent data, Nigeria’s share increased even as the total volume and value of exports dropped. The country’s dominance is attributed to steeper declines from other African exporters. Dr Muda Yusuf commented on the limited impact of US tariffs on Nigeria’s economy, highlighting visa policies as a greater concern.
TLDR
- Nigeria supplied 46.618 million barrels of crude oil to the US in 2025, accounting for 52.2% of Africa’s total shipments, up from 49.0% in 2024.
- Africa’s total US crude exports fell from 103.631 million barrels in 2024 to 89.371 million barrels in 2025.
- Nigeria’s C.I.F. value dropped from $4.458bn in 2024 to $3.545bn in 2025, while the continent’s total C.I.F. value declined from $8.945bn to $6.816bn.
- An executive order raising Nigeria’s tariff rate from 14% to 15% took effect on August 7, 2025, but crude oil exports remain largely exempt.
- Dr Muda Yusuf emphasized that visa restrictions pose a bigger challenge to Nigeria-US trade than tariffs.
