Nigeria imported motor vehicles and automotive parts worth $602 million from the United States between January and May 2026, representing a 41.3 per cent increase compared to the $426 million recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, passenger cars accounted for the largest share of the imports.
Passenger car imports rose to $454 million in the first five months of 2026, up from $312 million in the corresponding period last year, reflecting a 45.5 per cent increase.
Imports of automotive parts also increased significantly, climbing from $86 million to $122 million, while imports of trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles dropped by 10.3 per cent, falling from $29 million to $26 million.
In May alone, Nigeria imported $124 million worth of vehicles and automotive parts from the U.S., slightly below the $131 million recorded in April.
Passenger car imports for May stood at $93 million, down from $98 million in April, while imports of trucks and buses declined from $7 million to $6 million. Automotive parts remained steady at $26 million.
Despite the monthly dip, May 2026 still recorded a 30.5 per cent increase compared to May 2025, when total imports stood at $95 million.
Overall, the United States exported $66.08 billion worth of motor vehicles and automotive parts worldwide between January and May 2026, a 4.7 per cent decline from the $69.32 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.
Canada remained the biggest destination for U.S. automotive exports, receiving $24.7 billion, followed by Mexico with $16.83 billion and Germany with $3.72 billion.
Among African countries, Nigeria ranked first in U.S. vehicle imports with $602 million, ahead of South Africa, which imported $313 million worth of vehicles and parts during the same period.
The increase in vehicle imports aligns with figures from the Nigerian Ports Authority, which reported that vehicle traffic at Nigerian ports rose by 67 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, with 58,870 vehicles handled compared to 35,262 units in the corresponding period of 2025.
Industry analysts attribute the growth to improved access to foreign exchange and greater confidence among importers, although vehicle prices remain relatively high.
