Low import bill pushes Nigeria's trade surplus to $3.46b

By Elizabeth Adegbesan

Driven by an 18.7 percent decline in import bill, Nigeria’s trade surplus rose by 32.06 percent month-on-month (MoM) to $3.46 billion in April 2026 from $2.62 billion in March 2026.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, disclosed this yesterday in its April 2026 Economic Report.

CBN said: “The goods account recorded a higher trade surplus, mainly driven by a decline in import bill. Provisional data showed that the trade account recorded a surplus of $3.46 billion, compared to $2.62 billion in the preceding month.

“The performance was driven by 18.70 per cent decrease in import bills to $3.13 billion from $3.85 billion in March, as imports of both oil and non-oil products declined.”