Non-Oil exporters seek one-stop system to tackle setbacks, boost market access

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By Progress Godfrey

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Non-oil exporters have called for the establishment of a one-stop export processing system to address regulatory bottlenecks, reduce costs, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets.

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The call was made at a policy roundtable on market access for Nigeria’s non-oil export sector, themed ‘Advancing SME Competitiveness under DCTS and AfCFTA’. The event brought together policymakers, regulators, development partners and private sector players to review challenges and propose reforms.

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National President of the Network of Practicing Non-Oil Exporters of Nigeria (NPNEN), Hon. Ahmad Rabiu, said the study highlighted structural barriers affecting exports, including weak infrastructure assumptions, low capacity to meet international standards, and gaps within regulatory institutions.

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He stressed the need for a pragmatic export strategy rooted in local realities, noting that countries like Malaysia succeeded by aligning policies with domestic capacity. He also called for the revival of inland ports to ease cargo movement and reduce pressure on seaports.

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Similarly, President of the Nigeria Trade and Investment Center, Canada, Mr. Olufemi Boyede, identified key constraints such as limited access to finance, poor logistics, and policy inconsistencies. He noted that multiple regulatory agencies at export points increase costs and reduce efficiency.

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“One of the biggest barriers is the multiplicity of regulators, each imposing charges, which raises the cost of Nigerian exports. A one-stop export processing centre is the way forward,” he said.

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Also speaking, Executive Director, African International Trade and Commerce Research, Mr. Sand Mba, said most exporters face challenges before reaching the border, particularly logistics hurdles, compliance issues, and unofficial charges.

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According to him, about 62 percent of exporters struggle with pre-border constraints, limiting their ability to scale and access international markets.

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Stakeholders at the forum agreed that improved coordination, better access to finance, and stronger institutional support are critical to unlocking opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

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