 has raised concerns over Nigeria’s import restrictions on 25 product categories, describing the policy as a limitation on market access for American exporters.){kind=link}
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has raised concerns over Nigeria’s import restrictions on 25 product categories, describing the policy as a limitation on market access for American exporters.
This development comes shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced broad tariffs affecting various imports, with Nigeria accounting for 14 percent of the new measures.
In a statement shared via X on Monday, the USTR outlined several trade challenges faced by U.S. businesses abroad, naming Nigeria’s import ban as one of them.
“Nigeria’s restrictions on 25 categories of goods negatively affect American exports, especially in sectors like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods,” the agency said.
It emphasized that the ban on items such as beef, pork, poultry, fruit juice, medicaments, and alcoholic beverages limits opportunities for U.S. exporters and reduces their access to the Nigerian market.
“These policies pose considerable trade barriers and have led to significant revenue losses for American businesses looking to grow their presence in Nigeria,” the USTR added.
The ban, originally implemented in 2016, was part of Nigeria’s strategy to manage import dependence. Prohibited items include poultry (both live and frozen), pork, beef, eggs, refined vegetable oils, sugar, cocoa products, spaghetti, noodles, and fruit juices packaged for retail.
Other items on the list include water, non-alcoholic drinks, beer, cement in bags, pharmaceutical waste, soaps and detergents, mosquito coils, plastic sanitary wares, used tyres, corrugated paper products, and recharge cards.
Meanwhile, on March 26, 2025, Nigeria’s federal government disclosed plans to phase out the importation of solar panels, in a move aimed at boosting local production and advancing the country’s transition to clean energy.