Amid growing tensions in global trade, the United Kingdom yesterday granted Nigeria duty-free access on 99 percent of goods exported to the UK under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

The British High Commission in Nigeria made the announcement in a statement yesterday.

The statement explained that the UK wants to build stronger trade ties with Nigeria, support Nigerian exports, and help both countries grow their economies in a sustainable way.

DCTS was launched in June 2023 as part of the UK’s trade policy to support growing economies.

With the recent update, Nigeria can now export over 3,000 products to the UK either without paying duties or at lower tax rates. These products include both farm produce and processed goods.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, described Nigeria as a central partner in the UK’s global trade strategy, stating that the DCTS is not only a tool for increasing market access but also a pathway to unlocking sustainable economic development.

“A major advantage of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme is the reduction or complete elimination of duty tariffs on everyday goods such as cashew nuts, cocoa, cotton, plantain, tomatoes, prawns, and sesame. This isn’t just about improved access into the UK market, it’s about building a fairer, freer global trading system that supports economic growth and job creation, both in developing countries and in the UK.” Montgomery said.

The scheme simplifies export rules, lowers import costs for UK businesses, and expands consumer access to affordable goods, creating mutual economic benefits.

For Nigerian businesses, it provides a competitive edge, especially for key exports such as cocoa paste and butter, shrimp, sesame oil, palm oil, and cotton clothing.

Beyond raw commodities, the DCTS also promotes Nigeria’s shift toward processed and value-added exports, an important step in moving the country up the global value chain and away from dependence on primary goods.

Montgomery further revealed that the UK is actively working with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) to address export challenges and ensure the scheme’s full benefits reach Nigerian businesses.

The DCTS includes 37 African countries, but Nigeria’s strategic importance and trade potential make it a priority partner. The scheme is part of the UK’s broader efforts to expand economic partnerships globally, alongside recent trade deals with countries like India and the United States.