Manufacturers to FG: Shift to Africa as U.S. Tariffs Loom Over BRICS Ties

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG) has called on the Federal Government to shift its focus toward strengthening intra-African trade, warning that Nigeria’s growing ties with BRICS nations could expose the country to damaging tariff threats from the United States.

Speaking in a virtual interview with The PUNCH, the Chairman of MANEG, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, said the escalating tensions between the U.S. and the BRICS economic alliance — made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — should prompt Nigeria to deepen its commitment to trade within Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Her comments follow a recent proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 10 per cent tariff on imports from BRICS-aligned countries. While Nigeria is not a full BRICS member, its expanding economic partnerships with the bloc place it in the crosshairs of potential trade penalties.

“If the threatened tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on countries aligned with BRICS, Nigeria in particular, are implemented, it could disrupt trade relations and harm key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and manufacturing,” Erewa-Meggison said.

She explained that critical imports from the U.S., especially pharmaceuticals and agricultural products, could be severely affected, posing fresh challenges for manufacturers and consumers alike.

Economic analysts have expressed concern that Nigeria’s fragile manufacturing sector may not be able to absorb the shocks of such external disruptions, especially at a time when the economy is still recovering from multiple global crises.

Erewa-Meggison stressed that Nigeria must take full advantage of the AfCFTA to expand trade within the continent, reduce reliance on external markets, and build economic resilience against future shocks.

“Prioritising intra-African trade is no longer an option but a necessity,” she said, adding that the AfCFTA framework presents a strategic opportunity for Nigeria to grow its export base and strengthen regional supply chains.

Over the years, Nigeria has struggled to maximise its trade potential within Africa, often focusing on bilateral ties with larger economies outside the continent. However, the current global economic uncertainty, driven by geopolitical tensions, is forcing a rethink of such strategies.

Industry stakeholders say the time has come for Nigeria to look inward and harness the opportunities on its doorstep, rather than remain exposed to the policy swings of global powers.

With global alliances shifting and trade tensions rising, the message from manufacturers is clear: Africa must become Nigeria’s first trade frontier if the country hopes to safeguard its economic future.

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