US Identifies Corruption As Key Barrier To Trade And Investment In Nigeria

The U.S. government has identified corruption as a major barrier to trade and investment in Nigeria. According to the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, the Office of the United States Trade Representative highlighted corruption and a lack of transparency in Nigeria’s tender processes as significant concerns for U.S. companies.

The report noted that U.S. businesses face challenges in day-to-day operations due to demands for “facilitative” payments from Nigerian officials. Efforts to combat corruption have been hindered by internal government conflicts and partisan politics. The report also raised concerns about the Nigerian justice system’s ability to convict and appropriately sentence those involved in corruption.

Another major issue is the delay in approving import permits for American agricultural products. Despite ongoing efforts since 2019, Nigeria has been slow to grant market access for U.S. food and agricultural exports. Additionally, the report criticized Nigeria for inconsistency in enforcing technical regulations and sanitary measures, which can create confusion and hinder compliance.

The report also highlighted that Nigeria imposes high import duties, with 79 tariff lines subject to a combined duty and other fees of 50% or more, and 17 tariff lines exceeding the 70% limit set by ECOWAS.