Asia Pacific Trade in Middle-Income Economies: Focus On Nigeria/Pakistan Import and Export Relations
Diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Pakistan dates back to the late twentieth century, with bilateral trade that gained modest momentum amid expansion. Using trade data and policy records, the paper traces the evolution of merchandise exchange between Nigeria and Pakistan, with a gradual expansion that peaked between 2005 and 2024, followed by periods of fluctuations and declines. Throughout this period, Pakistan’s exports to Nigeria were largely dominated by manufactured and semi-processed goods, while Nigeria’s exports remained limited in volume and range. Despite sustained diplomatic engagement and formal agreements, the structure of trade continued to reflect long-standing imbalance and limited diversification. By placing Nigeria and Pakistan trade within the broader Asia Pacific trade environment and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) emerging infrastructural framework of China, the paper argues that contemporary connectivity initiatives represent both continuity and potential departure from earlier patterns of engagement, and trade imbalance has not only continued to widen but has also intensified. The study concludes that while CPEC offers new possibilities for third-party participation and trade expansion, structural constraints continued to shape the depth and direction of Nigeria/Pakistan trade relations.
Key Words: Asia Pacific, Middle-Income Economies, Bilateral Trade Relations
