March 22, 203/Coronation Research

The latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its series on foreign trade in goods shows the total value of trade declined by -4.5% q/q to N11.7trn in Q4 ’22. This is the third consecutive q/q decline recorded. On a y/y basis, it rose marginally by 0.1%.

The total export value increased by 7.2% q/q to N6.4trn compared with N5.9trn recorded in Q3 ’22 while the import value declined by -15.5% q/q to N5.4trn from N6.3trn. The net result was a surplus of N996.8bn vs a deficit of -N409.4trn recorded in Q3 ‘22. Total trade as a percentage of nominal GDP (2022) stood at 5.9% in Q4 ’22 compared with 6.2% recorded in Q3 ’22.

For FY2022, the total value of trade was N52.4trn compared to N39.7trn recorded in FY2021. Total export value for FY2022 increased by 41.7% y/y to N26.8trn. Meanwhile, import value also increased by 22.7% y/y to N25.6trn in 2022 from N20.8trn recorded in 2021. The net result was a surplus of N1.2trn compared with a deficit of -N1.9trn recorded in FY2021. Total trade as a percentage of nominal GDP (2022) stood at 26.3% in 2022 vs 22.9% recorded in 2021, (using 2021 nominal GDP).

According to the NBS, most imports in Q4 ’22 originated from China (N1.4trn). This was followed by Belgium (N585.6bn), India (N368.9bn), Netherlands (N365.3bn), and the United States (N319.2bn). These five countries collectively accounted for 55.8% of the total imports in Q4 ’22. The value of imported manufactured products and oil-related products declined by -14.3% q/q and -18.2% q/q respectively. Imported agricultural goods also declined by -13.3% q/q.

Imports from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stood at N55.4bn in Q4 ‘22, accounting for 30.7% of total imports within the region. Regarding export destinations, Spain (N617.2bn) was the top exporting partner for Nigeria in Q4 ’22, followed by the Netherlands (N517.6bn), India (N490.4bn), France (N489.8bn) and Indonesia (N473.3bn). These five countries collectively accounted for 41.6% of the total exports in Q4 ’22.

Crude oil accounted for the largest share (77.8%) of total exports in Q4 ’22 and increased by 5.4% q/q to N4.9trn in Q4 ’22 compared with a decline of -21.2%q/q recorded in the previous quarter. The q/q increase in the value of total crude exported can be partly attributed to improved oil production due to the FGN’s recent efforts towards tackling crude oil theft and vandalism.

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