Indonesia is seeking to attract more Nigerian investors and expand bilateral trade by encouraging businesses from both countries to explore opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy and waste management.
Senior Trade Analyst at Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade, Iska Huberta Sinural, disclosed this while speaking to Nigerian journalists in Jakarta ahead of the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia, scheduled for October 14 to 18, 2026.
Sinural said Indonesia wanted to move beyond a relationship largely centred on Nigerian imports of Indonesian goods by encouraging Nigerian businesses to export their products, invest in Indonesia and establish long-term commercial partnerships.
She said the country was targeting $17.5 billion in transactions at the trade exhibition, which is expected to bring together exhibitors, international buyers and investors to explore business opportunities.
According to her, Nigeria has consistently featured among the leading countries sending buyers to the exhibition, ranking third in 2024 and fourth in 2025.
Key sectors open to investors
Muhammad Alpvy, a member of the Export Enhancement Division of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, identified manufacturing, food processing, renewable energy, waste management and healthcare production as areas offering opportunities for cooperation.
He said Indonesian companies were interested in establishing factories in Nigeria, while Nigerian businesses could also explore the Indonesian market.
Potential areas of trade include palm oil, rubber products, food ingredients and healthcare manufacturing. Both countries could also benefit from processing raw materials into finished products rather than relying mainly on the exchange of commodities.
Alpvy further encouraged Nigerian businesses to introduce local food and beverages to Indonesian consumers, noting that adapting packaging, flavours and product sizes to local preferences could help Nigerian brands gain a foothold in the market.
High costs remain a challenge
Despite the opportunities, Indonesian officials identified shipping expenses, trade barriers and difficulties with some banking procedures as obstacles to stronger commercial relations.
They called for improved trade arrangements, better communication between governments and businesses, and clearer investment conditions to make cross-border transactions easier.
Data presented by Moch. Lukmanul Hakim, head of the International Trade Division at the Regional Office of Industry and Trade of West Java Province, showed that Nigeria accounted for $109.36 million, or 68.28 per cent, of the $160.17 million in exports recorded by West Java to eight countries under the jurisdiction of Indonesia’s Abuja office between January and August 2026.
The figures highlighted Nigeria’s importance as a destination for Indonesian goods, while also pointing to opportunities for Nigerian exporters to expand their presence in the Southeast Asian market.
Potential Nigerian exports identified included cocoa beans, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, soya beans, groundnuts, cocoa paste, rubber-related products and aluminium alloys.
The 41st Trade Expo Indonesia is expected to provide a platform for manufacturers, exporters and investors to establish contacts and negotiate partnerships.
Indonesian officials said stronger business-to-business relationships and practical implementation of existing trade agreements would be essential to translating the growing interest into lasting investments and increased exports for both countries.
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