Nigeria: what does Turkey export there?

In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $357 million. The ten largest product groups made up 43.3% of that total, led by Planes, Helicopters, and/or Spacecraft; Gypsum; Iron Structures.

Nigeria: who are its main trading partners?

The three largest import partners are China, Belgium, Netherlands. The three largest export partners are India, USA, Spain.

Nigeria: what does the country import?

The three largest import products are Refined Petroleum; Ships; Wheat. The three largest export products are Crude Petroleum; Petroleum Gas; Cocoa.

Nigeria: how big is the economy?

Population 191 million, GDP $375 billion, and $1,969 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.532.

Nigeria: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?

The trade balance is +$12.7B in net exports.

Nigeria: which ports handle goods from Turkey?

The main ports are Lagos (Apapa, Tin Can Island), Lekki Deep Sea Port, Onne, Port Harcourt.

Nigeria: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?

The Nigerian importer opens a Form M through an authorised bank before the goods ship. Products regulated by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria need SONCAP certification; food, medicines, cosmetics and chemicals need NAFDAC registration.

Nigeria: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?

Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Country Profiles

Nigeria

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is located in West Africa. It is bordered by Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Benin. Nigeria is referred as the `Giant of Africa’, due to its strong economy and large population. Its population reached 191 million in 2018 and Nigeria has the highest GDP in Africa with $375 Billion. Nigeria overtook South Africa in 2014 to become Africa’s largest economy. Nigeria is a member of African Union, United Nations, OPEC and Commonwealth.

Nigeria gained independence in 1960 from the United Kingdom. The official language of the country is English and its capital is Abuja. However, the biggest city and the industrial hub of Nigeria is Lagos. The population of Lagos is more than 20 million. Nigeria’s economy boomed thanks to oil industry. However, the economy of Nigeria is heavily dependent on oil price fluctuations.

China is the most important trade partner of Nigeria. Whereas, Nigeria exports most of its crude petroleum to India and USA. Nigeria has a positive trade balance, it exports more than it imports. However, the trade balance deteriorated due to decreasing oil price in the last years.

Turkey and Nigeria has diplomatic relations since the independence of Nigeria. Turkey opened an Embassy in Lagos, previous capital of Nigeria, in August 1962. Turkish businesses can find important opportunities in Nigeria thanks to its large and diversified economy. Manufacturing and food companies can use Nigeria as a hub to expand to other West African countries. The exports of Turkey to Nigeria are concentrated in industrial goods and agricultural products. Especially, processed iron is an important export good from Turkey to Nigeria.

Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Nigeria with Turkey.

Four charts for Nigeria. Population rises from about 122 million in 2000 to 191 million in 2017. GDP grows from about US$70 billion to a peak near US$568 billion in 2014, then falls to about US$375 billion. Total exports drop from about US$125 billion in 2011 to US$47 billion. Exports to Turkey spike to about US$2.1 billion in 2014; imports from Turkey stay between about US$0.25 and US$0.55 billion.

Turkey's exports to Nigeria in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.

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Country at a glance

Capital city: Abuja
Official language: English
Population: 191 million
GDP: $375 billion
GDP per capita: $1,969
Human Development Index: 0.532

Top 3 import partners: China, Belgium, Netherlands
Top 3 export partners: India, USA, Spain
Top 3 import products: Refined Petroleum, Ships, Wheat
Top 3 export products: Crude Petroleum, Petroleum Gas, Cocoa
Trade balance: +$12.7B in net exports

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.

Nigeria: practical trade guide

What a shipment between Turkey and this market needs, how the goods get there, and what to settle before you sign.

Main ports: Lagos (Apapa, Tin Can Island), Lekki Deep Sea Port, Onne, Port Harcourt
Currency: Nigerian naira (NGN)
Trade blocs: AfCFTA, ECOWAS
Trade agreement with Turkey: None in force: standard duties generally apply

Specific to Nigeria

The Nigerian importer opens a Form M through an authorised bank before the goods ship.
Products regulated by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria need SONCAP certification; food, medicines, cosmetics and chemicals need NAFDAC registration.

Access to foreign exchange has been tight at times: confirm how and when the buyer will pay before production starts.

Standard documents

Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Certificate of origin issued by a Turkish chamber of commerce
Insurance certificate when the Incoterm includes insurance (CIF, CIP)

Before you sign

Check the counterparty: registration, activity and references
Match the payment structure to the risk: advance or partial payment, documentary collection or a letter of credit
Confirm whether your product needs a certificate or registration in this market before production starts

Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change: confirm the current rules for your product with your forwarder, the buyer's customs broker or us before shipping.

Turkey's exports to this market

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.

2008

$257 million

Top 10 products account for 49.2% of the total.

2008
Product	Share of total
Raw Iron Bars	14.3%
Hot-Rolled Iron Bars	5.7%
Hot-Rolled Iron	5.5%
Electrical Transformers	5.3%
Iron Structures	3.9%
Iron Blocks	3.4%
Air Conditioners	3.4%
Specialized Vehicles	2.7%
Cement	2.6%
Insulated Wire	2.2%

2017

$357 million

Top 10 products account for 43.3% of the total.

2017
Product	Share of total
Planes, Helicopters, and/or Spacecraft	11.5%
Gypsum	5%
Iron Structures	5%
Hot-Rolled Iron	4.8%
Starches	3.9%
Other Sugars	3.6%
Iron Stovetops	2.5%
Air Conditioners	2.3%
Styrene Polymers	2.3%
Electrical Transformers	2.3%

Frequently asked questions

Nigeria: what does Turkey export there?: In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $357 million. The ten largest product groups made up 43.3% of that total, led by Planes, Helicopters, and/or Spacecraft; Gypsum; Iron Structures.
Nigeria: who are its main trading partners?: The three largest import partners are China, Belgium, Netherlands. The three largest export partners are India, USA, Spain.
Nigeria: what does the country import?: The three largest import products are Refined Petroleum; Ships; Wheat. The three largest export products are Crude Petroleum; Petroleum Gas; Cocoa.
Nigeria: how big is the economy?: Population 191 million, GDP $375 billion, and $1,969 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.532.
Nigeria: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?: The trade balance is +$12.7B in net exports.
Nigeria: which ports handle goods from Turkey?: The main ports are Lagos (Apapa, Tin Can Island), Lekki Deep Sea Port, Onne, Port Harcourt.
Nigeria: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?: The Nigerian importer opens a Form M through an authorised bank before the goods ship. Products regulated by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria need SONCAP certification; food, medicines, cosmetics and chemicals need NAFDAC registration.
Nigeria: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?: Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Other country profiles

Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets