Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint a National Export Adviser to drive export sector reforms and enhance Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness.
Speaking at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank’s International Women’s Day Conference 2025 in Abuja on Tuesday, Adeosun highlighted Nigeria’s low export-to-GDP ratio of 9.2% compared to other African economies such as Ghana (34%), South Africa (32.8%), and Senegal (23%). She emphasized that Nigeria should focus on increasing exports rather than reducing imports.
“I call on the President to name a National Export Adviser. We need a figurehead to drive reforms and break down barriers so that our world-class goods can reach global markets,” Adeosun stated.
She pointed out inefficiencies in Nigeria’s export registration process, which takes up to three weeks, compared to just 48 hours in South Africa, and stressed the need for a more streamlined system to encourage exporters.
Adeosun also urged Nigerian entrepreneurs, especially women, to tap into export opportunities in fashion, arts, crafts, and food, noting that sectors like Nollywood and Afrobeats have already made a global impact.
In his remarks, NEXIM Bank’s Managing Director, Abubakar Bello, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering women in exports. He announced the launch of the Women In Export Development Fund, alongside existing programs such as the Women and Youth Export Fund and the Small and Medium Enterprises Export Fund.
“Women and girls are at the heart of national development. Nigeria can only achieve sustainable growth when women are actively included in economic and entrepreneurial opportunities,” Bello said.
The call for an export-focused policy and streamlined trade processes comes amid Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to boost non-oil exports and strengthen its position in the global market.
