NEPC, trade centre partner stakeholders on sesame, cowpea export compliance

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), in collaboration with the International Trade Centre, is taking proactive steps to enhance Nigeria's agricultural export sector. The ongoing workshop in Kano, focused on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance for sesame and cowpea, is a crucial initiative designed to address the persistent challenge of export rejections.

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This two-day event aims to identify gaps, overlaps, and areas for synergy in addressing SPS issues in the sesame and cowpea value chains. We will also identify the most effective communication and information framework for raising awareness on SPS compliance issues as they relate to these value chains

As highlighted by NEPC's Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nonye Ayeni, the workshop's goal is to identify gaps and foster synergy in addressing SPS issues within these key value chains. Effective communication and awareness strategies are deemed vital to ensure stakeholders understand and adhere to both local and global standards. This focus on information dissemination is critical for improving compliance and boosting the international marketability of Nigerian agricultural products.

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The importance of effective communication and dissemination of information to sesame and cowpea value chain actors cannot be overemphasised. At the end of the sessions, we expect to have an efficient, impactful, and all-inclusive communication awareness strategy.

Nigeria's non-oil export performance in 2025, reaching a historic high of $6.1 billion, demonstrates the potential of this sector. NEPC's commitment to supporting exporters, including facilitating international certifications and working with regulatory agencies like SON, NAFDAC, and NAQS, is yielding positive results in reducing rejections. This workshop, part of the STDF 845 initiative, signifies a concerted effort to build upon these successes and extend best practices to other value chains, reinforcing Nigeria's position as a significant player in global agricultural trade.

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Nigeria recorded a non-oil export value of $6.1bn in 2025, the highest in its history. Export volume also reached a record 8.02 million metric tonnes. We exported 281 products to 120 countries, including 11 ECOWAS countries and 32 African countries.