Bank Seeks Improved Financing for Non-oil Exporters

ProvidusUnity Bank has called for stronger collaboration among exporters, financial institutions, industry associations and government agencies to boost Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings and improve the competitiveness of local businesses in international markets.

The bank made the call at the fifth edition of its Non-Oil Export Business Forum in Kano, which brought together over 200 exporters, industry associations and government institutions to address challenges limiting the growth of the country’s non-oil export sector.

The forum, themed “Driving Export Competitiveness, Trade Facilitation and Economic Facilitation,” focused on improving access to trade finance, strengthening regulatory compliance, expanding market access and promoting value addition across the export value chain.

The call comes as Nigeria’s non-oil export sector recorded growing momentum. According to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the country generated a record $6.1 billion in non-oil export receipts in 2025, representing an 11.5 per cent increase over the previous year. Export volumes also rose to 8.02 million metric tonnes, with 281 non-oil products shipped to 120 countries.

However, stakeholders at the forum identified the need to deepen local processing, improve access to financing and ensure that Nigerian products meet international standards to sustain the growth and translate export activities into higher foreign exchange earnings.

Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ProvidusUnity Bank, Walter Akpani, the bank’s Treasurer, Enyinnaya Akagha, said unlocking the sector’s potential required stronger partnerships across the export value chain and financial solutions tailored to the needs of exporters.

“Nigeria’s non-oil export sector presents a significant opportunity to diversify the economy, strengthen foreign exchange earnings and create sustainable business growth. Realising this potential requires stronger collaboration across the export value chain and financial solutions that respond to the realities of exporters,” he said.

Akagha said the bank was committed to providing responsive, seamless and innovative trade solutions to help businesses overcome operational challenges, access new markets and expand their international operations.

He added that closer engagement with exporters, industry associations and regulators would contribute to building a more competitive and resilient export ecosystem.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dawanau International Market Limited, Abdullahi Maidoya Yakubu, said greater collaboration between exporters, financial institutions, regulators and industry experts was critical to unlocking the region’s productive capacity.

“The region has significant opportunities in agricultural commodities and other exportable products. By connecting exporters with financial institutions, regulators and industry experts, initiatives like this can help businesses overcome barriers, access new markets, increase export volumes and translate the region’s productive capacity into greater economic value,” he said.

Speaking on the objectives of the forum, Dr Abiodun Ariyo, Group Head of Global Trade and Structured Finance at ProvidusUnity Bank, said sustainable growth in non-oil exports required more than access to international markets.

“Building a competitive non-oil export sector requires more than access to international markets. Exporters need appropriate financing, efficient trade processes, regulatory clarity and the capacity to meet global standards,” he said.

Ariyo said the forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to identify practical solutions to these challenges and develop partnerships that would support sustainable export growth.