Nigeria has solidified its position as Africa’s second-largest sesame exporter and the fourth-largest globally, raking in N700 billion from sesame exports in 2024. The milestone, announced by the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni, underscores the country’s growing dominance in the global sesame trade.
Speaking at the STDF 845 project for Sesame and Cowpea in Abuja, Ayeni stressed the need to enhance export quality and reduce rejection rates in international markets. She revealed that the three-year initiative, co-funded by the International Trade Centre and NEPC, aims to improve Nigeria’s sesame and cowpea exports by ensuring compliance with pesticide residue limits.
“The project will help Nigerian exporters meet global standards, minimizing rejection and boosting the country’s trade reputation,” Ayeni stated.
She highlighted that the global sesame market is valued at $7.67 billion in 2025, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.3% by 2030. In 2023 alone, Nigeria exported sesame worth $463.827 million, with key destinations including Europe, North America, the Far East, and the Middle East.
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as the world’s fourth-largest sesame producer but acknowledged recent challenges, particularly sanitary concerns affecting exports to Japan.
“Japan accounts for 40% of Nigeria’s sesame exports, but increased scrutiny due to sanitary standards has posed setbacks. The ministry is working on regulatory reforms and sensitization programs to ensure compliance and prevent rejections,” Oduwole stated.
The STDF 845 project is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global sesame trade by addressing sanitary and phytosanitary standards, regulatory bottlenecks, and export procedures. With improved quality control and market access, Nigeria is poised to further expand its non-oil export revenues and maintain its upward trajectory in the global sesame market.
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