The Federal Government of Nigeria unveiled plans to position the country as Africa’s leading halal trade hub through Saudi investment partnerships, expanded exports and the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), making a strategic push to capture a significant share of the global halal economy estimated at trillions of dollars.
Special Adviser to the President on Export Expansion and Secretary of the Nigerian Halal Economy Strategy Implementation Committee, Aliyu Bunu Sheriff, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen at the Nigeria-Saudi investment engagement, saying the government was deploying the country’s agricultural strength, manufacturing capacity and strategic location to unlock new export frontiers.
Sheriff said the engagement with Saudi investors marked a major step towards strengthening economic ties between both countries and attracting investment into key sectors capable of driving Nigeria’s transition into a globally competitive halal economy.
According to him, Nigeria’s ambition is to become Africa’s foremost halal economy destination by tapping into a rapidly expanding global market covering food production, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tourism, logistics, finance and other value chains.
“The opportunity before Nigeria is enormous. We are positioning the country to take advantage of the multi-trillion-dollar global halal market while leveraging our population, resources and strategic position within Africa,” Sheriff said.
He explained that the Federal Government’s Halal Economy Strategy was designed to create a structured framework for investment, production, certification and export development, enabling Nigerian businesses to access international markets.
Sheriff noted that Nigeria’s advantage lies in its large agricultural base, youthful workforce and access to the African Continental Free Trade Area, which provides a single market of more than 1.3 billion people across 54 African countries.
He said the AfCFTA platform gives Nigeria an opportunity to become a major production and distribution centre for halal goods across Africa and beyond.
The Presidential Adviser added that the Saudi investment engagement was aimed at transforming economic relationships from traditional diplomacy into commercially driven partnerships that would generate jobs, increase exports and attract foreign capital.
“Nigeria is willing and able to work with investors to ensure they meet all the requirements necessary to establish businesses here. It is not about aid or one-way investment. It has to be mutually beneficial,” he stated.
Sheriff stressed that the government was committed to creating a transparent and investor-friendly environment by supporting businesses with regulatory guidance and the necessary frameworks required to operate successfully in Nigeria.
He further highlighted the role of diaspora-led business networks in expanding Nigeria’s international trade connections, describing them as vital platforms for linking Nigerian producers with global buyers and investors.
According to him, diaspora initiatives would help strengthen cross-border partnerships, improve market access and accelerate the integration of Nigerian businesses into global halal supply chains.
Industry observers say Nigeria’s move into the halal economy could provide a major boost for non-oil exports, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing, as the country seeks to diversify revenue sources and increase foreign exchange earnings.
The global halal market has continued to expand beyond traditional food sectors, with rising demand in areas such as halal pharmaceuticals, ethical finance, cosmetics, travel and lifestyle products.
Sheriff said the Federal Government would continue to pursue strategic collaborations with Saudi Arabia and other international partners to position Nigeria as the preferred gateway for halal trade in Africa.
With a domestic market of more than 220 million people, vast agricultural resources and access to Africa’s largest free trade zone, Nigeria is betting on the halal economy as a new engine for export growth, industrialization and investment inflows.
