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High transportation and energy expenses are progressively driving Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) out of Nigeria’s export sector, as indicated by the recently published 3T Impex Non-Oil Export Index Report 2026.

The study, written by Dr. Bamidele Ayemibo and released by 3T Impex Trade Consulting, relied on an examination of 87,824 export activities documented from 2021 to 2025, along with a survey involving 94 active non-oil exporters spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions.

The results highlight an increasing divide between growing export efforts and the capacity of smaller exporters to stay competitive, as rising transportation and energy expenses keep altering involvement in Nigeria’s non-oil export industry.

Increasing logistics and energy expenses have become significant challenges in Nigeria’s non-oil export industry, placing the greatest operational strain on small and medium-sized enterprises.

3T Impex Trade Consulting has formally launched the much-anticipated 3T Impex Non-Oil Export Index Report 2026, highlighting a notable contradiction within Nigeria’s global trade industry.

Although exporter confidence and global demand have hit all-time highs, significant structural challenges—particularly rising logistics and energy expenses—are counteracting these achievements and forcing smaller exporters out of the market.

The study revealed that 77.7% of exporters faced increased domestic transportation and port management expenses throughout the evaluation period.

The Logistics Performance Index reached 12.8 on a scale of 100, indicating significant inefficiencies in transporting products from manufacturing hubs to export facilities.

Approximately 51.1% of exporters reported that electricity and processing expenses were their primary operational difficulty.

The report highlighted that increasing expenses are compelling certain exporters to cut back on value enhancement and depend increasingly on unprocessed resource exports.

The report indicated that the mix of logistics challenges and rising energy costs is gradually reducing the competitiveness of smaller exporters in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

Although operational expenses have increased, the report indicates that exporters’ confidence is still fairly robust.

The Business Confidence Index was recorded at 87.8 out of 100, with 75.5% of exporters noting an increase in sales and 91.5% showing confidence in rising global demand. The Predictive Outlook Index also reached 92.8, suggesting that numerous exporters continue to intend to grow their operations.

The report pointed out an increasing divide between optimistic market forecasts and real-world operational conditions.

Approximately 28.7% of exporters indicated that their products were rejected because of issues related to quality and standardization.

These regulatory challenges were associated with a fragile certification system and more rigorous global standards, including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The report also indicated that while the overall export value increased by 93% in 2025, the number of export transactions dropped from 18,280 in 2021 to 16,683 in 2025, indicating that bigger exporters are gaining a larger portion of the export value, while MSMEs are progressively reducing their involvement in the market.

Nigeria’s exports outside the oil sector experienced notable growth in 2025, amounting to N12.36 trillion from January to December, as reported in the most recent Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The image shows a significant rise from N9.09 trillion noted in 2024, indicating improved results in various non-oil export areas.

Non-oil exports were valued at N3.14 trillion in 2022, then dropped to N2.56 trillion in 2023.

Export revenues increased significantly to N9.09 trillion in 2024 and continued to rise to N12.36 trillion in 2025.

Mineral products contributed the biggest portion of export revenue, amounting to N73.46 trillion, with prepared food items, drinks, alcoholic beverages, vinegar, and tobacco following at N3.88 trillion.

Chemical and related industry products provided N3.37 trillion, whereas plant-based products brought in N1.54 trillion through exports.

Several other export categories also made significant contributions during the period, such as vehicles and aircraft components worth N1.10 trillion, basic metals valued at N646.16 billion, plastic and rubber goods amounting to N244.17 billion, and equipment and industrial machinery totaling N207.48 billion.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).