Phones and network equipment imports in Nigeria: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of phones and network equipment by Nigeria reached $707.1 million in 2024 (15.7 thousand tonnes). That is 39% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $1.78 billion.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $707.1M | 15.7K t |
| 2023 | $1.17B | 14.9K t |
| 2022 | $1.04B | 16.3K t |
| 2021 | $1.78B | 17.7K t |
| 2020 | $1.32B | 14.5K t |
| 2019 | $1.34B | 7.3K t |
| 2018 | $1.35B | 9.0K t |
| 2017 | $1.01B | 5.7K t |
Where Nigeria imports phones and network equipment from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 72% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $509.5M | 72% |
| United States | $60.7M | 8.6% |
| Netherlands | $24.2M | 3.4% |
| United Kingdom | $19.9M | 2.8% |
| Hong Kong | $19.3M | 2.7% |
| Mexico | $8.8M | 1.3% |
| India | $7.9M | 1.1% |
| Indonesia | $7.5M | 1.1% |
| Vietnam | $6.5M | 0.9% |
| Thailand | $5.8M | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 8517
| 8517.12 | Mobile phones | 41% |
| 8517.62 | Transmission and switching apparatus | 36% |
| 8517.70 | Telephone and communication parts | 15% |
| 8517.61 | Base stations | 4% |
| 8517.69 | Communication apparatus (other) | 2.7% |
| 8517.18 | Telephone sets (other) | 1.1% |
| 8517.11 | Cordless telephones | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8517.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $45.11 per kg, 81% below the world average of $239.13, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Phones and network equipment exports from Nigeria
Exports of phones and network equipment by Nigeria reached $14.4 million in 2024 (98 tonnes). Most of it went to Hong Kong (29%), Hungary (25%), Netherlands (23%). Among the main buyer markets, South Africa grew fastest (+649% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | $4.2M | 29% |
| Hungary | $3.6M | 25% |
| Netherlands | $3.4M | 23% |
| South Korea | $1.9M | 13% |
| South Africa | $279K | 1.9% |
| Kenya | $185K | 1.3% |
| Singapore | $183K | 1.3% |
| Benin | $161K | 1.1% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $107K | 0.7% |
| United Kingdom | $92K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in Nigeria?
The shipment records behind Nigeria phones and network equipment imports (HS 8517): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 8517: Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellular/wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data (including wired/wireless networks), excluding items of 8443, 8525, 8527, or 8528.
Common questions
What is the value of phones and network equipment imported by Nigeria?
Nigeria imported phones and network equipment worth $707.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 15.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 70th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 39% on 2023.
Which countries supply phones and network equipment to Nigeria?
China was the largest supplier with 72% of the value ($509.5 million), followed by the United States (9%) and the Netherlands (3%). The top three together account for 84%, out of 104 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 120% on the year.
What is the average import price of phones and network equipment per kg?
The average declared import value was about $45.11 per kg in 2024, 81% below the world average of $239.13 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of phones and network equipment to Nigeria changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.01 billion in 2017 to $707.1 million in 2024, a fall of 30%. The peak was 2021 at $1.78 billion. Over 8 years the average was $1.21 billion a year.
Does Nigeria also export phones and network equipment?
Yes. Nigeria exported $14.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Hong Kong, Hungary and the Netherlands. On balance Nigeria is a net importer of this product, by about $692.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for phones and network equipment?
The HS code for phones and network equipment is heading 8517. In Nigeria the largest six-digit codes were 8517.12 (41% of the value) and 8517.62 (36%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Nigeria, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World phones and network equipment trade: top importers and exporters
Phones and network equipment product types in Nigeria
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