Abuja, Nigeria – A groundbreaking UK-funded initiative is set to transform Nigeria’s export capacity by helping local businesses meet international quality standards, particularly in four key sectors: leather, tea, cashew, and coffee.
Key Program Benefits
Duty-free UK market access for 3,500+ Nigerian products
Direct technical support from international standards experts
Enhanced capacity for SON, NiNAS and other quality institutions
SME-focused training to bridge compliance gaps
Why This Matters Now
With Nigeria’s non-oil exports to the UK totaling $1.2bn in 2024, this program under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) could:
Add £500m to bilateral trade by 2026
Create 50,000+ jobs in target sectors
Position Nigeria as Africa’s quality export hub
Sector-Specific Impacts
Leather Industry:
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Potential to generate $1bn annually by 2025
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Moving from raw hide (“Ponmo”) exports to finished leather products
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New tanneries and processing facilities underway
Agro-Exports (Tea/Coffee/Cashew):
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Addressing critical gaps in metrology and certification
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Helping farmers meet EU/UK pesticide residue limits
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20-30% projected price premium for certified products
What Stakeholders Are Saying
🇬🇧 Dr. Simeon Umukoro (UK Trade Lead):
“This isn’t about big corporations – we’re equipping SMEs with tools to compete globally through our Developing Countries Trading Scheme.”
Olalekan Omoniyi (SON Deputy Director):
“No nation trades successfully without strong quality infrastructure. This partnership is changing Nigeria’s standards culture.”
Dr. Awal Imam (NILEST DG):
“Processing hides to crust level before export could triple leather sector revenues while creating youth jobs.”
Program Timeline
2022-2026 (Currently in Phase 3)
March 2026 – Expected completion with full sector rollouts
Bigger Picture
The initiative complements:
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Nigeria’s National Quality Policy
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UK’s post-Brexit trade diversification strategy
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AfCFTA’s regional standardization efforts
