The United States government has said that corruption and lack of transparency remain major obstacles to trade and investment in Nigeria. In its 2025 National Trade Estimate Report, the Office of the United States Trade Representative highlighted concerns over inappropriate demands for facilitative payments and systemic inefficiencies in Nigeria’s justice system.
The report criticised Nigeria’s import restrictions, slow approval of permits for US agricultural products, and inconsistent application of sanitary and phytosanitary standards. It also noted that complex customs procedures, manual processing, and corruption continue to delay trade and force some businesses into informal channels.
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Concerns were also raised over barriers in public procurement, intellectual property enforcement, digital trade regulations, and sector-specific restrictions in areas like reinsurance and advertising. The US said localisation rules and new digital taxes were creating uncertainty for American companies operating in Nigeria.
While acknowledging recent legal reforms such as the Copyright Act 2022, the report warned that enforcement remains weak, with counterfeit goods widely available. The US government called for more transparent trade practices and accelerated reforms to improve Nigeria’s investment climate.
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