- Nigeria has emerged as the United States’ second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa after both countries recorded nearly $15 billion in bilateral trade in 2025.
Keith Heffern, chargé d’affaires of the US mission in Nigeria, disclosed this in Lagos on Wednesday during the celebration of the 250th Independence Day of the United States.
Speaking on diplomatic and economic ties between both nations, Heffern said trade and investment remain central to US engagement across Africa.
“Nigeria is now the United States’ second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
“In 2025, two-way trade between our countries reached nearly $15 billion, a 14 percent increase over 2024. These aren’t just numbers.
“With more than 100 US companies operating in Nigeria, they represent jobs, opportunities, and economic transformation for Americans and Nigerians.
“One of our key priorities at the US mission in Nigeria is helping US companies succeed in this market.”
Heffern added that the US has continued to strengthen collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment through a five-year memorandum of understanding known as the US-Nigerian Commercial and Investment Partnership.
According to him, the initiative, now in its second year, has become a strong example of growing commercial cooperation between both countries.
“Now in year two, this partnership is a leading example of our bilateral commercial relationship in action,” he said.
“As a private sector-led initiative, we have nearly 50 US and Nigerian companies uniting business leaders and policymakers to remove barriers to trade and investment.
“In January, Lagos hosted the first ministerial-level meeting under the partnership.
“Through this partnership, we have advanced cooperation in three strategic sectors: agriculture, the digital economy, and infrastructure, to drive long-term growth and shared prosperity.”
Heffern also highlighted the role of security cooperation in strengthening ties between both nations, noting that such collaboration helps promote stability and safeguard shared interests.
He revealed that earlier this year, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, helped dismantle a major transnational criminal network involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.
The envoy commended the growing partnership between Nigeria and the US, adding that Washington is making one of its most significant global investments in Lagos.
He also referenced the expanded US support for agricultural trade with Nigeria through the export credit guarantee programme of the US Department of Agriculture.