Nigeria, UK Partner to Boost Non-Oil Exports Under New Trade Scheme

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the UK Department for Business and Trade, has commenced a nationwide sensitization drive to help Nigerian exporters take advantage of new trade opportunities in the United Kingdom market.

The two agencies jointly hosted a stakeholder workshop in Lagos on the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which provides duty-free and quota-free access for products from eligible developing nations.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Orji Gertrude, Director of Trade and Investment, who represented Ambassador Abba Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted the long-standing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the UK.

She explained that the DCTS, launched in June 2023, replaces the UK’s previous Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) and is designed to strengthen trade partnerships with developing economies by offering simplified and more generous trade preferences.

According to her:

“This workshop is convened to create awareness and build the capacity of Nigerian exporters and business associations on the benefits, requirements, and opportunities available under the UK DCTS.”

She added that the initiative comes at a crucial time, as Nigeria is intensifying efforts to diversify its exports beyond oil and increase participation in global value chains.

“To fully harness these benefits, stakeholders must understand the rules of origin, documentation requirements, product standards, and trade facilitation measures under the scheme,” she said.

The ministry noted that the DCTS offers duty-free and quota-free access to thousands of products, giving Nigeria expanded market opportunities for agricultural produce, textiles, leather, processed foods, and manufactured goods.

“Workshops like this are essential to bridge information gaps, strengthen institutional coordination, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian exports in the UK market,” she added.

Also speaking, Mujina Kaindama, the UK’s Head of Trade Policy and Market Access for Nigeria, emphasized the British government’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s export readiness through partnerships with local regulatory bodies.

“The British Standards Institute has a project in Nigeria where we work with agencies such as NAFDAC and others to ensure they can certify Nigerian exporters, so their certifications are recognized internationally,” Kaindama said.

She added that several UK-backed trade initiatives complement the DCTS, ensuring that it goes beyond policy into practical support for Nigerian businesses.

“We have an ecosystem of trade initiatives that support DCTS’ goals by creating the right environment for Nigerian traders to access UK markets. The idea is to make sure DCTS is not just a policy on paper but something that businesses can actively use,” she concluded.

Opinion Nigeria News