Inside Nigeria’s Booming Gum Arabic Industry Worth Billions of Naira #GumArabicNigeria

Rewritten Story: written by Daniel December 5,2025
Nigeria’s gum arabic sector has grown into a massive, multi-billion-naira enterprise, attracting both local and international buyers eager for the highly sought-after commodity. The product—tapped mainly from acacia trees in the northern region—has become one of the country’s most valuable non-oil exports.

Experts say demand continues to rise globally due to gum arabic’s wide use in food processing, pharmaceuticals, beverages, cosmetics, and industrial production. Nigeria is currently ranked among the world’s largest producers, supplying a significant share of the international market.

Farmers and exporters note that the industry has the potential to generate even more revenue if the government addresses issues such as poor infrastructure, limited access to financing, and insecurity in producing communities. With proper investment and policy support, stakeholders believe gum arabic could become a major foreign-exchange earner for Nigeria.