The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG) has said Nigeria stands to gain from the recent trade tensions between the United States and the BRICS bloc, following President Donald Trump’s threat to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on countries aligning with the group. However, the association warned that the move could also hurt Nigeria’s key economic sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture, if strategic measures are not adopted.

Dr. Benedict Obhiosa, Executive Secretary of MANEG, disclosed this in a statement to Vanguard, emphasizing that while the geopolitical development presents risks, it also offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to deepen intra-African trade, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.


Nigeria was formally admitted as the ninth BRICS partner in January 2025, joining Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and three other new members. This came after months of diplomatic engagement and economic positioning at the 16th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in October 2024. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Nigeria’s trade volume with BRICS nations stood at ₦5.41 trillion in Q1 2025, significantly higher than its ₦1.54 trillion export volume to the United States during the same period.

“The US tariff threat, while concerning, may compel Nigeria to reassess its economic dependencies and double down on regional trade integration through AfCFTA,” Obhiosa stated. “This could be a defining moment for Nigeria to emphasize value addition to exports, especially in manufacturing and agro-processing.”


Obhiosa stressed that Nigeria must seize this opportunity to reduce its overdependence on Western markets and expand its footprint across African economies. By prioritizing AfCFTA-driven trade policies and encouraging regional production value chains, Nigeria can offset potential losses from disrupted US relations and build a more resilient export-driven economy.

He added: “Through the implementation of robust economic strategies focused on local manufacturing and regional collaboration, Nigeria can transform global trade challenges into new growth opportunities.”

The AfCFTA, which officially commenced trading in January 2021, has provided a framework for tariff-free access to over 50 African countries. However, Nigeria has only recently begun accelerating its implementation, with key reforms still underway.


Despite the potential upsides, MANEG warned that the tariff escalation by the US could carry significant downside risks if not properly mitigated. Obhiosa highlighted that higher tariffs may strain Nigeria’s relationship with the United States—one of its key trading and diplomatic partners.

“If the US follows through on its threat, this may disrupt the import of critical goods such as pharmaceuticals, agri-inputs, and manufacturing technologies. This would inevitably increase operational costs for local industries and affect output,” Obhiosa warned.

He further stated that such policy shifts may create uncertainty in Nigeria’s investment environment, potentially causing foreign investors to delay or withdraw capital.


MANEG has urged the federal government to engage in proactive diplomacy with the United States while simultaneously reinforcing economic diversification strategies. These include ramping up local production, simplifying export processes, supporting MSMEs in agro-processing, and offering fiscal incentives to manufacturers expanding into new African markets.

“The government must cushion potential shocks by ensuring access to affordable production inputs, accelerating AfCFTA implementation, and improving port logistics to support export activities,” Obhiosa added.

The emerging trade landscape, driven by geopolitical tensions and shifting alliances, places Nigeria at a crossroads. As one of Africa’s largest economies and now a BRICS partner, Nigeria has an opportunity to reposition itself as a major player in regional trade.

While the US tariff threat poses challenges, experts agree that with the right policies, Nigeria can turn external pressures into a catalyst for intra-African trade expansion, industrial competitiveness, and long-term economic resilience.