UK reaffirms 99% duty-free access for Nigerian exports

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Shipping containers sit stacked as cranes unload cargo container ships at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California on April 15, 2025. US President Donald Trump ordered a probe April 15, 2025 that may result in tariffs on critical minerals, rare-earth metals and associated products such as smartphones, in an escalation of his dispute with global trade partners. China said April 16, 2025 its economy topped forecasts in the first quarter, as exporters rushed to shift goods ahead of swingeing US tariffs, but warned it faced "certain pressures" from Donald Trump's trade blitz. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigerian trade, stating that 99% of Nigerian exports will continue to enjoy duty-free access under its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

This assurance was shared by the British High Commission in Nigeria through a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday.

“Our commitment to UK-Nigeria economic growth remains strong.

Nigerian exporters can continue to benefit from the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme which offers 99% duty-free access on goods,” the post read.

The DCTS, introduced in 2023 as a replacement for the UK’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), aims to enhance trade with developing countries like Nigeria by simplifying rules, eliminating conditions, and cutting tariffs.

The scheme covers 65 developing nations and is designed not only to support economic development abroad but also to benefit UK consumers and businesses by lowering the cost of thousands of imported products.

The reaffirmation comes at a time when Nigeria continues to seek stronger global trade partnerships to stimulate growth and diversification of its economy.