Nigeria's Trade Sector Contributes 17.89% to GDP in Q1 2026

In the first quarter of 2026, Nigeria's trade sector recorded a contribution of 17.89% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This figure is a slight decrease from the 18.21% contribution noted in the corresponding quarter of 2025.

The report indicates that despite ongoing macroeconomic pressures affecting business and consumer spending, the trade sector experienced moderate year-on-year growth during the review period. The contribution of the trade sector to nominal GDP in Q1 2026 was 18.20%, compared to 15.52% in Q1 2025 and 19.10% in Q4 2025.

Overall, Nigeria's economy recorded a real GDP growth of 3.89% year-on-year in Q1 2026, indicating a gradual economic expansion despite persistent structural challenges. Notably, there was a decline in exports during this period, which accounted for 52.36% of Nigeria's total trade in Q4 2025, valued at ₦18.96 trillion.