Nigeria’s tariff cuts and falling rice prices shift trade flows across West Africa. NIGERIA – The Nigerian government has reduced rice import tariffs to 47.5% from 70% under its 2026 fiscal policy document seen by Platts, part of S&P Global Energy. The government cut duty on bulk rice above 5 kg to 47.5% from 70% and reduced broken rice duty to 30% from 70%. It also adjusted sugar tariffs. A Cotonou-based trader said, “The Cotonou rice market will be watching this new tariff because that could mean importers will prefer to import directly to Nigeria rather than use the Cotonou route.” A Delhi-based importer questioned the impact of lower duties and pointed to foreign exchange limits as a key driver of import volumes rather than tariffs. A Dubai-based exporter warned that higher direct imports into Nigeria could weaken Cotonou supply and force cargo storage in bonded warehouses for longer periods of time. A Nigeria-based miller called the move a pre-election policy tool aimed at ...