Trade between Nigeria and Indonesia reached approximately $1.98bn between January and July 2026, according to the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Bambang Suharto. Non-oil and gas exports from Indonesia to Nigeria grew by 8.04 per cent to $356.8m during the same period, the ambassador said at a business forum held during the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia 2026.
The two countries recorded four trade commitments worth $10.37m at this year's expo, with 109 Nigerian visitors attending the event in person. Suharto described the figures as encouraging but urged businesses in both countries to move beyond transactions into investments, production and distribution partnerships. Indonesian companies could offer products and expertise in food and beverages, halal products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer goods and manufacturing, he said.
Ishmael Balogun, president of the Nigerian-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called for stronger efforts to translate business engagements into concrete trade agreements and joint ventures. He identified oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy and digital services as sectors with potential for cooperation. However, he said businesses faced barriers including limited access to market information, unclear regulations and unreliable payment systems.
Usoro Akpabio, managing director of the South-South Development Commission, invited Indonesian investors to explore opportunities in agriculture, renewable energy and industrial development in Nigeria's southern region. She urged Indonesian businesses to establish industries and develop production capacity in Nigeria rather than focus solely on selling goods. The 2025 Trade Expo Indonesia attracted 8,045 overseas buyers from 131 countries, generating transactions valued at $22.8bn, with Nigeria among the top five countries in buyer attendance.