The United States has imposed a fresh 15% import tariff on goods from Nigeria and several other African countries, in a sweeping move that could reshape trade relations with the continent. The tariff, announced through an Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump and titled “Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates,” takes effect immediately.
Nigeria joins the likes of Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho, Mauritius, Uganda, and Madagascar, all of which now face the same 15% tariff rate on exports to the U.S.
The new directive builds on a previous order issued in April 2025, which had signaled the U.S. government’s intention to revise its trade terms with several global partners. That earlier move has now been cemented with this updated and expanded list of affected nations.
Other African countries were hit with even steeper rates: South Africa and Libya face a 30% tariff, while Tunisia will contend with a 25% rate. The impact isn’t limited to Africa — countries such as India (25%), Japan (15%), and the UK (10%) are also affected.
A wide-ranging list of over 40 countries has been included under the 15% tariff rate, among them Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Malaysia, the Philippines, and even the European Union (for certain high-duty products).
Analysts say this development could have significant implications for Nigeria’s export economy, particularly in sectors like agriculture, textiles, and raw materials.
