*Dr. Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, reaffirms the West African country, as one of the UK鈥檚 most important partners, will continue to enjoy duty-free access on 99 percent of total agricultural products and other goods exported to its market under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Amid the current global trade tensions, the United Kingdom (UK) Government has restated that Nigerian exporters will continue to enjoy duty-free access on 99 percent of total agricultural products and other goods exported to its market under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

The British High Commission (BHC) Communications/FCDO Office, in Abuja, FCT, which noted this in a statement Thursday, June 19, 2025, said through the DCTS, Nigerian exporters could sell key agricultural produce, such as cocoa, yam, tomatoes, plantain, shrimp, and other products to the UK at reduced tariffs.

The statement also noted this development “reinforces UK鈥檚 long-term ambition to deepen trade ties, support Nigerian exports and promote economic growth for both our countries.”

The BHC Communications Office also stated the DCTS is part of the UK鈥檚 strategy to support growing economies like Nigeria by reducing tariffs on thousands of goods, simplifying export rules for Nigerian businesses and making it easier to qualify for trade benefits.

It explained the scheme lowers import cost for UK businesses, and offers consumers a wider range of affordable products.

It recalled that since its launch June 2023, the Developing Countries Trading Scheme has allowed Nigeria and 36 other African countries to export over 3,000 products duty-free or at reduced tariffs to the UK.

The scheme is supporting Nigerian businesses to grow and become more competitive on the global stage, the statement noted.

According to the UK Government, through the DCTS, Nigerian exporters can sell key goods, such as cocoa, yam, tomatoes, plantain, shrimp, and other agricultural products to the UK at reduced tariffs.

The scheme also supports processed and value-added products, including cocoa paste and cocoa butter, sesame and Palm oil, cashew nuts, cotton clothing, and cocoa paste, helping Nigeria move beyond raw exports.

Commenting on the DCTS, Dr. Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, said: 鈥淎s one of the UK鈥檚 most important partners in Africa, Nigeria stands at the heart of the UK鈥檚 global trade ambitions, and we want to strengthen the trade ties between our two great nations and unlock the power of sustainable and transformative growth in Nigeria and across emerging economies.

鈥淎 major advantage of the UK鈥檚 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.”

Dr. Montgomery stated: “This isn鈥檛 just about improved access into the UK market, it鈥檚 about building a fairer, freer global trading system that supports economic growth and job creation, both in developing countries and in the UK.鈥�

The British envoy also noted: 鈥淭hrough the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), we continue to work alongside the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) to tackle export challenges, and ensure the DCTS is fully leveraged by Nigerian businesses to improve trade growth between our two countries.鈥�

The statement added that the trade framework is part of a wider UK’s effort at building strong economic ties across the world, with recent trade agreements also signed with major economies, such as India and the United States (US).

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