Bilateral trade between India and Nigeria jumped 26 percent to approximately $9 billion in the 2025–26 fiscal year, up from $7.13 billion recorded in 2024–25. The sharp rise reflects a concerted effort by both nations to expand economic cooperation past traditional crude oil supply into manufacturing, health systems, technology, energy infrastructure, and direct job creation.
​The figures were unveiled by Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Abhay Thakur, during a high-level diplomatic and economic briefing held at the Indian High Commission in Abuja on Tuesday, August 11, and was released to the media on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
​Addressing economic correspondents and diplomatic envoys, High Commissioner Thakur emphasized that over 200 Indian companies are actively operating across Nigeria, generating roughly 100,000 jobs for locals. This sustained footprint positions Indian private enterprise as one of the largest non-state employers in the country.
​”Reaching the $9 billion mark in 2025–26 demonstrates that our commercial partnership is entering a new operational phase,” stated High Commissioner Thakur. “While energy remains vital, Indian businesses are moving beyond transactional trade toward long-term domestic investments, industrial manufacturing, and joint technological ventures across Nigeria.”
​Key pillars driving this broadened trade landscape include Local Manufacturing & Consumer Goods; In-country assembly and processing operations designed to supply domestic and regional West African markets.
It also includes Energy & Power Infrastructure that expands investments in power distribution grid development, renewable systems, and industrial infrastructure. Other sectors like Technology & Innovation and Healthcare & Life Sciences; Transitioning from finished product imports to localized pharmaceutical manufacturing.
​Elaborating on specific sector initiatives at the Abuja event, Minister (Commerce) at the Indian High Commission, Dr. Amitesh Bharat, outlined how deep industrial cooperation is reshaping Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
​Dr. Bharat noted that while India continues to meet roughly 40 percent of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market needs, the overarching goal has shifted toward domestic self-reliance. Indian corporate investments in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure have crossed $4 billion, financing the construction of modern processing plants aimed at converting Nigeria into a pharmaceutical production hub for the ECOWAS region.
​The trade milestone follows recent bilateral momentum, anchored by senior leadership exchanges including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nigeria in late 2024 and ongoing economic ministerial talks throughout 2025.
​Both representatives concluded that the $9 billion trade volume serves as a springboard for deeper bilateral integration. By prioritizing domestic capacity building, supply chain localization, and employment generation, the India-Nigeria partnership offers a compelling model for sustainable South-South economic collaboration.
