By Kehinde Ibrahim, Lagos
PROVIDUSUNITY Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Nigeria’s non-oil export sector, bringing together more than 200 exporters, industry associations and government institutions at the fifth edition of Non-oil Export Business Forum in Kano.
The forum provided a platform for stakeholders across the export value chain to examine challenges facing Nigerian businesses, explore opportunities in international markets and identify practical strategies for improving export competitiveness, facilitating trade and strengthening the country’s non-oil earnings.
Held under the theme, “Driving Export Competitiveness, Trade Facilitation and Economic Diversification,” the event focused on improving access to trade finance, strengthening regulatory compliance, promoting local processing and helping Nigerian exporters meet international market requirements.
The engagement comes against the backdrop of growing activity in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector. According to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the country generated a record $6.1 billion in non-oil export receipts in 2025, representing an 11.5 per cent increase over the previous year.
Export volumes also rose to 8.02 million metric tonnes, with 281 non-oil products shipped to 120 countries.
Despite the growth, significant challenges remain, including limited access to affordable financing, inadequate processing capacity, difficulties in meeting international standards and constraints affecting access to global markets. Stakeholders at the forum examined ways to address these barriers and enable Nigerian businesses to derive greater value from the country’s export potential.
Speaking on behalf of Walter Akpani, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ProvidusUnity Bank, the bank’s Treasurer, Enyinnaya Akagha, reiterated the institution’s commitment to supporting exporters through innovative financial solutions and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
Akpani said Nigeria’s non-oil export sector offered significant opportunities to diversify the economy, strengthen foreign exchange earnings and promote sustainable business growth.
According to him, realising these opportunities requires closer cooperation across the export value chain, alongside financial products tailored to the operational needs of exporters.
“As a Future Forward bank, ProvidusUnity Bank is committed to providing responsive, seamless and innovative trade solutions that help businesses overcome operational challenges, access new markets and scale internationally.
“By working closely with exporters, industry associations and regulators, we aim to contribute to a more competitive and resilient export ecosystem,” he said.
Participants at the forum included representatives of the Kano Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dawanau Market Association and the Association of Sesame Farmers.
Agribusiness operators, manufacturers, leather and tannery businesses, commodity traders and other players across the export value chain also participated in the discussions.
The presence of stakeholders from different segments of the economy underscored the importance of coordinated efforts in addressing the challenges confronting exporters and strengthening Nigeria’s position in international trade.
Abdullahi Maidoya Yakubu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dawanau International Market Limited, said the forum was important to unlocking the export potential of northern Nigeria.
He noted that the region possessed considerable opportunities in agricultural commodities and other exportable products but required stronger partnerships among businesses, financial institutions, regulators and industry experts to maximise its potential.
“The region has significant opportunities in agricultural commodities and other exportable products. By connecting exporters with financial institutions, regulators and industry experts, initiatives like this can help businesses overcome barriers, access new markets, increase export volumes and translate the region’s productive capacity into greater economic value,” Yakubu said.
Government and regulatory institutions represented at the forum included the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Customs Service and Nigerian Export-Import Bank.
Their participation provided opportunities for exporters to engage with relevant institutions on issues affecting trade finance, customs procedures, regulatory compliance and the requirements for accessing international markets.
Discussions also examined the opportunities available to businesses operating across northern Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial value chains, particularly in areas where improved processing, financing and market linkages could increase export earnings.
Stakeholders emphasised the importance of helping local businesses move beyond the export of raw commodities towards value-added products capable of attracting better prices in international markets.
Improving the quality and consistency of export products, strengthening compliance with international standards and reducing operational bottlenecks were also identified as important considerations for businesses seeking to compete more effectively in the global marketplace.
Dr. Abiodun Ariyo, Group Head of Global Trade and Structured Finance at ProvidusUnity Bank, whose team organised the forum, said the initiative was designed to connect exporters with the knowledge, partnerships and financial support required to expand their international operations.
Ariyo explained that building a competitive non-oil export sector required more than access to foreign markets, stressing that businesses also needed appropriate financing, efficient trade processes, regulatory clarity and the capacity to meet global standards.
“Building a competitive non-oil export sector requires more than access to international markets. Exporters need appropriate financing, efficient trade processes, regulatory clarity and the capacity to meet global standards.
“By bringing key stakeholders together, this forum creates an opportunity to address these needs and identify practical pathways for sustainable export growth,” he said.
Access to trade finance remains a critical consideration for Nigerian exporters, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises that may struggle to fund production, meet export requirements and manage the time between shipping goods and receiving payment.
Industry collaboration and engagement with financial institutions are therefore important to helping businesses overcome funding constraints, improve operational efficiency and take advantage of emerging opportunities in international trade.
For agricultural exporters in northern Nigeria, the region’s production capacity also presents opportunities to expand the export of commodities such as sesame and other agricultural products. However, greater investment in processing, storage, quality assurance and logistics would be necessary to improve competitiveness and increase the value retained within the domestic economy.
The forum’s emphasis on trade facilitation also highlighted the need for efficient regulatory processes and improved coordination among institutions involved in export activities. Simplifying procedures, improving access to relevant information and helping businesses understand destination-market requirements could reduce avoidable costs and improve exporters’ ability to meet delivery schedules.
For ProvidusUnity Bank, the engagement forms part of its broader efforts to support businesses involved in international trade through financial solutions and partnerships that promote export development.
The bank said it remained committed to providing trade finance solutions, strengthening stakeholder collaboration and supporting initiatives aimed at expanding Nigeria’s non-oil export base.
The forum also reinforced the importance of connecting exporters with relevant institutions and industry expertise to help them identify new markets, improve compliance and develop sustainable international business relationships.
With Nigeria seeking to diversify its sources of foreign exchange and strengthen domestic production, the expansion of non-oil exports remains an important component of efforts to build a more resilient economy.
The sustained growth of the sector, however, will depend on the ability of businesses to overcome financing and infrastructure constraints, improve product quality, increase local value addition and compete effectively in international markets.
Through engagements such as the Non-Oil Export Business Forum, ProvidusUnity Bank is seeking to contribute to an export ecosystem in which businesses can access the financial services, market information and institutional partnerships required to grow beyond Nigeria’s borders.
