The United Kingdom has announced that more than 3,000 Nigerian products—including cocoa and cashew—are now eligible to enter the UK market either duty-free or at significantly reduced tariffs.
Mark Smithson, Country Director for the UK Department for Business and Trade, disclosed this development in a video released by the UK mission in Nigeria. He explained that the measure falls under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which aims to boost trade relations with developing nations.
“Up to 3,000 products from Nigeria qualify for low tariff or no tariff access to the UK through the Developing Countries Scheme, one of the most generous trading schemes in the world,” Smithson stated.
He added that the UK has streamlined the process for Nigerian exporters, making it easier to trade a wide range of goods, including cocoa, textiles, and other commodities.
Smithson urged Nigerian businesses to take advantage of the opportunity, saying:
“The UK is open and looking to do business with Nigeria. So why don’t you go to the website and find out more about the Developing Countries Trading Scheme and begin to trade with us?”
Launched in 2023, the DCTS replaced the UK’s former Generalised Scheme of Preferences. The initiative aims to reduce tariffs and simplify trade procedures for over 60 developing countries, including Nigeria.
