AITF 2026: India-Nigeria Trade Rebounds to $9.2bn as High Commissioner Calls for More Investment, Local Production

Oru Leonard 

The High Commissioner of India to Nigeria has disclosed that bilateral trade between India and Nigeria rebounded to $9.2 billion in 2025–2026, describing the two countries as strategic partners with significant opportunities for expanded trade, investment and technology cooperation.

The High Commissioner made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, where India is participating as a key partner.

He said the Abuja International Trade Fair was more than an exhibition, describing it as a celebration of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit and a gateway for international businesses to access Africa’s largest market.
“This fair is not just an exhibition; it is a celebration of Nigeria’s spirit of enterprise and a gateway for the world to engage with Africa’s largest market at the heart of ECOWAS,” he said.

According to him, India sees Nigeria not merely as a trade partner but as a strategic partner, noting that bilateral economic relations had demonstrated resilience despite the challenging global economic environment.
“India-Nigeria trade tells a powerful story of resilience and trust. Even in a challenging global environment, our bilateral trade has rebounded to US$9.2 billion in 2025–2026,” he stated.

The envoy said India’s participation in the trade fair was focused on providing technologies, products and partnerships that could respond to the needs of Nigerian households and small and medium-sized enterprises.

He identified affordable technology, healthcare, critical minerals, innovation, startups and digital public infrastructure as areas where India and Nigeria could deepen cooperation.

On healthcare, he said India, widely known for its pharmaceutical industry, was interested not only in exporting medicines to Nigeria but also in expanding local manufacturing.
“India is the pharmacy of the world, but we don’t just want to export medicine. We also want to make in Nigeria, along with Make in India,” he said.

He stressed that trade should be mutually beneficial, adding that “trade is always a two-way traffic.”

The High Commissioner also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in critical minerals and value addition, as well as technology and innovation.

He said Nigeria’s large youthful population made the country a natural partner for India in developing new solutions and supporting startups.
“India is ready to share, link with Indian and Nigerian startups and share our experience in digital public infrastructure,” he said.

According to him, stronger economic ties between both countries could become transformational if trade and investment were deliberately deployed to create employment opportunities.
“Our vision is to use trade to create jobs in both countries. That requires more participation in each other’s exhibitions,” he stated.

The Indian envoy commended the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), for its role in promoting business relations between Nigeria and India and for organising the trade fair.

He described ACCI as “a wonderful and steadfast partner” of the Indian High Commission, praising the chamber for organising the fair with professionalism and on a significant scale.
“I commend the entire team of the ACCI for organising this fair with such professionalism and scale,” he said.

He also invited participants to visit the India Pavilion at the trade fair, engage with Indian exhibitors and explore opportunities for business partnerships.

He urged businesses to move beyond discussions towards concrete commercial transactions.
“Let’s together convert conversations into contracts and contracts into jobs for our youth,” the High Commissioner said.

He added that the commercial team at the Indian High Commission would be available to assist Nigerian businesses seeking to establish commercial relationships with Indian companies.

The High Commissioner expressed appreciation to the Minister, the organisers and ACCI for inviting India as a key partner at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, and wished the event success.