Imports from South Africa surge 24% amid xenophobic strain

Nigeria's imports from South Africa surged by 23.83% in the first quarter of 2026, reaching N155.26 billion, even as diplomatic relations between the two nations strained due to escalating xenophobic attacks on Nigerians. Recent foreign trade data reveals this increase from N125.38 billion in the same period of 2025, highlighting a resilience in bilateral trade despite political tensions.

The Nigerian government has been actively involved in evacuating its citizens from South Africa following the attacks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that hundreds of Nigerians were expected to return to Lagos via Air Peace flights. This action underscores the severity of the situation and the government's commitment to assisting its affected nationals.

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Our citizens are being harassed. Our citizens’ properties are being looted. Criminal actions are being perpetrated, and the police refuse to do anything. The South African government has not come out strongly and firmly enough to condemn these incidents.

Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, voiced strong dissatisfaction with South Africa's response to the attacks. She stated that the South African government had not adequately condemned the incidents or protected Nigerian citizens and their properties. The minister indicated that Nigeria was considering "retaliatory diplomatic measures" and a review of bilateral privileges, emphasizing that claims of Nigerians being illegal migrants were untrue.

Despite the diplomatic friction, South Africa remains a significant source of imports for Nigeria. Total imports from the country reached N535.29 billion in 2025, following N568.59 billion in 2024. Trade figures show a consistent increase over the years, with imports standing at N291 billion in 2023, N237.24 billion in 2022, and N212.25 billion in 2021. This sustained trade volume suggests that economic ties are proving more robust than political discourse.

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To say that Nigerians who are in South Africa doing legitimate business are illegal migrants is absolutely untrue. People who are doing legitimate business have their sh