Business
Nigeria’s Non-Oil Export Hits $2.97bn
The Executive Director, Ni
geria Export Promotion Council, (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo has revealed that Nigeria has recorded a rise from $2.561 in 2012 to $2.97 billion in 2013 on non-oil products that moved out of the country.
Awolowo who made the revelation recently in Lagos at a workshop explained that nearly 117 products were exported to 93 countries worldwide in 2013.
Citing the provision of Cobalt International Limited he said the country exported cocoa, bean, palm produce, groundnuts and solid minerals among others which were no longer limited to the usual markets of Europe, especially the UK.
The NEPC boss pointed out that the increase on exported non-oil products was largely due to the new culture in export diversification.
He said NEPC was at the forefront in targeting international markets with made in Nigeria products in International Trade Fairs/Exhibitions each year.
He said the move has succeeded in exposing Nigerian companies and organisations to the international markets in addition to opening contact that have positive impact on the inflow of the much needed foreign exchange.
According to him, in 2013, 13 of such outings by the NEPC which involved 126 companies mostly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) benefited with on the spot sales and orders generated by them amounting to $627,108.23 and $3,716,920.51 respectively.
“Executed order as at the end of February 2014, that was reported to NEPC was $763,247.85. It is also on record that made-in-Nigeria products, especially in the West African Sub-region market elicit great demand as customers marvel about the quality and wondered if they were ever produced in Nigeria”, he said.
Highlighting further, he said indigenous SMEs that were introduced to the market in the year 2013, especially in processed foods and condiments were already making waves in Togo and Ghana.
He said efforts to further penetrate the region has led to an initiative called “Lome Trade Hub”, which began by a Solo Exhibition in Lome, Togo in 2013, followed by Nigeria’s participation at the 11th Lome International Trade Fair same year.
He added that a number of Nigerian companies which took part in both events still have their representatives, selling their various products.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
