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Nigeria is one of the most attractive investment destinations in Africa, and for good reason. The country has a large and growing consumer market, abundant natural resources, and a business-friendly environment that is continuously improving. If you’re looking to invest in Nigeria, then you should pay attention to the top five sectors for FDI in the country.

Oil and Gas:

Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa and the 12th largest in the world, with an estimated 37.2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. The oil and gas sector accounts for over 80% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings and about 50% of government revenue. The recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is expected to drive significant reforms in the sector, making it more attractive to investors.

Agriculture:

Nigeria has over 84 million hectares of arable land, making it the country with the largest agricultural land area in West Africa. The agriculture sector employs over 60% of the country’s population and contributes about 25% of GDP. According to the African Development Bank, Nigeria’s agriculture sector has the potential to become a $1 trillion industry by 2030

Manufacturing:

Nigeria’s manufacturing sector has been growing steadily over the years, driven by the country’s large consumer market and strategic location. The sector currently contributes about 9% to the country’s GDP and has the potential to create over 20 million jobs by 2030. According to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the manufacturing sector attracted $3.3 billion in FDI in 2020.

 

Renewable Energy:

Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity is currently dominated by fossil fuels, with renewable energy accounting for less than 1% of the country’s energy mix. However, the government has set a target of generating 30% of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, Nigeria has the potential to generate up to 3,750 MW of electricity from solar PV alone.

Technology:

Nigeria’s technology sector has been growing rapidly over the years, driven by a young and tech-savvy population. The sector has attracted significant investment, with over $2.4 billion raised by Nigerian tech startups in the last decade. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the ICT sector contributed about 14% to Nigeria’s GDP in 2020.

Nigeria offers significant investment opportunities across various sectors, including oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy, and technology. By investing in these sectors, investors can benefit from the country’s abundant resources, large consumer market, and business-friendly environment. With the recent reforms and initiatives by the government, Nigeria is poised to become an even more attractive investment destination in the coming years.

Pirmak Zwanbun

Pirmak is a senior researcher at the African Energy Institute. He has 10 years of experience across the energy verticals of power, hydrogen, oil, gas, LNG and renewable energy.