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Donald Trump signs an Executive Order imposing a 15% tariff on Nigeria and 10 other African nations
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South Africa, Libya, and Tunisia face even higher US tariffs in the latest protectionist move
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Economists warn new tariffs could harm Nigerian imports, inflame global trade tensions
The United States government has imposed a fresh 15 percent import tariff on Nigeria and several other African nations in a sweeping protectionist move signed by President Donald Trump. The Executive Order, titled “Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates,” was released Thursday by the White House and marks a significant escalation in Washington’s global trade offensive.
According to the statement, the new tariffs will apply to goods “entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m.” and target a long list of nations, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius, Ghana, Malawi, Lesotho, and Madagascar.
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South Africa and Libya were hit even harder, with a 30 percent import duty, while Tunisia faces a 25 percent levy. The order also listed non-African countries, including the United Kingdom (10 percent), India (25 percent), and Japan (15 percent), as part of a broader trade realignment under Trump’s “America First” economic strategy.
The move comes four months after an earlier Executive Order dated April 2, 2025, in which the US signalled its intent to impose widespread tariffs on foreign imports, including Nigeria.
The White House did not indicate exemptions or future reviews, further fuelling concerns among trade partners. Nigerian economic experts have already raised alarm over the potential damage to domestic trade and business.
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise had previously warned that such US tariffs could deal a severe blow to Nigeria’s economy by inflating import costs and straining bilateral trade.
While the Nigerian government has yet to issue a formal response, analysts say the policy could trigger reciprocal tariffs or fuel existing tensions between Washington and African capitals.
