The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has reaffirmed that loan and grant facilities provided by the Federal Government remain vital instruments for boosting non-oil export trade and positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in global markets.
Speaking at an engagement forum for non-oil exporters and trade-related agencies in Owerri on Wednesday, the Imo State Coordinator of NEPC, Anthony Ajuruchi, emphasized that with the right financial support, exporters in Imo and across the country can scale their businesses and drive Nigeria’s diversification agenda. He urged local exporters to fully tap into the soft loans and grants available to strengthen their operations and expand their reach beyond national borders.
According to him, the government’s continued investment in export development reflects its commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings while reducing dependence on crude oil. “With government support, our exporters can compete favourably with their counterparts globally. The facilities are designed to provide the needed push for growth,” Ajuruchi stated.
Also speaking at the forum, the Imo/Abia Coordinator of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Austin Ikeh, described the gathering as a timely platform to connect exporters with opportunities across the agricultural value chain. He highlighted NIRSAL’s collaboration with the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) to create financing pathways for farmers and exporters, stressing the importance of certifications and compliance with international standards to access these facilities.
Read Also:
- Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose to $3.225bn in first half of 2025- NEPC
- NEPC urges Nigerian manufacturers to leverage export opportunities boost local economy
- NEPC tasks existing, prospective exporters on marketing of non-oil products
Freeman Godwin, CEO of Belarhem Dynamic International Ventures, who exports edible food items, identified poor handling of goods by airline operators as one of the major setbacks confronting exporters. He lamented that damages to goods in warehouses have caused heavy financial losses, warning that exporters cannot afford to misuse government loan facilities under such conditions. “Sometimes, I’ve had to count my losses after experiencing damages to my goods at the warehouse as a result of poor preservation and management by the airlines,” he said.
The forum brought together stakeholders from the export sector to discuss ways of strengthening Nigeria’s non-oil exports through access to finance, regulatory compliance, and efficient logistics. With Nigeria’s push to diversify its economy, experts say that federal loan facilities, if properly managed, could play a decisive role in transforming exporters into major players in international trade.
