Growth Gateway: Developing Countries Trading Scheme in Nigeria, guidance for Nigerian exporters (summary)
Published 13 October 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/growth-gateway-developing-countries-trading-scheme-in-nigeria-guidance-for-nigerian-exporters/growth-gateway-developing-countries-trading-scheme-in-nigeria-guidance-for-nigerian-exporters-summary
The UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), launched in 2023, provides Nigerian exporters with enhanced market access, including duty-free treatment on around 85% of eligible products and tariff cuts across 3,000 items.
Nigeria benefits from its Enhanced Preference status, which simplifies rules of origin, removes the need to ratify international conventions, and offers preferential terms over competitors like India and Indonesia. The main export opportunities include cocoa, sesame, fertilisers, cotton, petrochemicals, and seafood, with potential market values ranging from £15 million to over £1 billion.
Despite these advantages, Nigerian exporters face significant challenges in accessing the UK market. These include complex sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations, inconsistent quality management systems, and limited awareness of UK import requirements.
Exporters must ensure compliance with UK standards, including proper labelling, phytosanitary certification, and adherence to international plant health protocols. The UK government, through agencies like Defra, APHA, and the FSA, offers guidance and support. But exporters are encouraged to work closely with UK importers and local authorities such as NAQS and NEPC to navigate the process effectively.
To support Nigerian exporters, the UK has introduced several interventions, including matchmaking sessions, regulatory guidance, and capacity-building programmes. Exporters are advised to leverage resources like the Growth Gateway, Manufacturing Africa, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
Additionally, the UK has committed to reducing red tape and improving trade facilitation through digital tools and technical working groups. With the right support and compliance, Nigerian exporters can significantly increase their presence in the UK market and benefit from the DCTS’s generous terms.