India-Nigeria trade reaches $9 billion as employment grows

Bilateral trade between India and Nigeria is projected to reach approximately US$9 billion in the 2025–26 financial year, marking a 26% increase from the US$7.13 billion recorded in the previous year. Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abishek Singh, noted that roughly 200 Indian companies operating in the country have created about 100,000 jobs, making them the second-largest employer in Nigeria after the federal government.

The economic relationship is diversifying beyond the oil sector into technology, healthcare, security, agriculture, and energy. In the healthcare sector, Indian pharmaceutical exports to Nigeria reached US$315 million in 2024–25, representing over 40% of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical imports. India currently supplies more than 90% of certain medicine categories to the country.

Additionally, India has provided US$395 million in concessional credit lines to Nigeria and continues to support capacity-building through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation initiative.