The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic ties with Nigeria, confirming that 99% of Nigerian exports will continue to enjoy duty-free access to the UK market under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
Launched in June 2023, the DCTS is a UK initiative aimed at supporting emerging economies by lowering tariffs, simplifying export rules, and making trade benefits more accessible. Nigeria is one of 37 African countries eligible to export over 3,000 products to the UK duty-free or at reduced tariffs.
Key Nigerian exports benefiting from the scheme include cocoa, yam, tomatoes, plantain, shrimp, sesame, cashew nuts, and palm oil. The scheme also covers value-added products such as cocoa paste, cotton clothing, and processed agricultural goods, helping Nigeria diversify beyond raw material exports.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, described Nigeria as one of the UK’s most important trade partners in Africa. “The DCTS is about more than just improved access to the UK market,” he said. “It’s about building a fairer, freer global trading system that drives sustainable growth and job creation in both the UK and developing countries.”
He added that through the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), the British government is collaborating with Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to address export challenges and help Nigerian businesses fully leverage the scheme.
The DCTS forms part of the UK’s broader strategy to strengthen trade relations worldwide, complementing similar agreements signed with global economies such as India and the United States.
