Arrived at the International Baking Industry Expo (IBIE) 2025 in Las Vegas — the largest grain-based foods / baking expo in the Western Hemisphere. Connecting with suppliers, innovators & brands while sourcing U.S. food products to export to Nigeria in 2026.

When most people think of exports, commodities like oil, cocoa, or cashews come to mind. But sometimes, the biggest opportunities hide in small, everyday items. Take coffee stirring sticks, a product used daily in coffee shops, offices, hotels, and airlines across the United States. With plastic bans spreading across U.S. states, demand for wooden and bamboo stirrers is surging, creating a profitable opening for Nigerian exporters. Coffee stirrers are simple, high-volume consumables. In 2025, U.S. coffee and snack shops generated nearly $73 billion in revenue across more than 90,000 businesses. Every one of those cafés, plus thousands of hotels and offices, needs a steady supply of stirrers. With millions of cups of coffee sold daily, this is a market that consumes and replenishes fast. Plastic stirrers are being phased out in favor of eco-friendly alternatives. This gives wood and bamboo a natural advantage. For Nigerian producers, raw materials like Gmelina wood and bamboo are abundant, renewable, and well-suited for manufacturing smooth, splinter-free stirrers. By leaning into “Plastic-Free, Made in Nigeria” branding, exporters can differentiate themselves while meeting U.S. buyers’ sustainability requirements. Breaking into the U.S. market means clearing compliance hurdles. Nigerian exporters will need to provide Lacey Act declarations on wood species and origin, use ISPM-15 treated pallets to prevent pest contamination, and ensure products are FDA food-contact compliant since stirrers touch beverages directly. Offering credible sustainability certifications like FSC or PEFC can also open doors to large chains. Meeting these standards upfront builds trust and prevents costly delays at U.S. ports. The U.S. stirrer market can be tapped through several channels, including foodservice distributors who supply cafés and restaurants, coffee chains both national and regional, online B2B platforms like Amazon Business, and private label programs where exporters produce stirrers under a distributor’s or chain’s brand. Packaging plays an important role too. One thousand sticks per bag, ten bags per carton, with clear country-of-origin labeling and eco-friendly claims make the product buyer-friendly. With efficient sourcing and production, stirrers can be manufactured in Nigeria at competitive costs. By the time they land in U.S. warehouses, they can still be priced well below retail, allowing healthy margins for both importers and distributors. At scale, Nigerian exporters could become credible suppliers to U.S. chains eager for reliable, sustainable alternatives. Nigeria does not have to limit itself to big-ticket exports. Everyday products like coffee stirrers, driven by plastic bans, rising coffee culture, and sustainability demands, represent a scalable, profitable niche. With the right compliance, packaging, and partnerships, Nigerian entrepreneurs can turn a simple stir stick into a global success story. Mbariket | 10x U.S.—Nigeria Exports Driving $100M in export revenue by 2028

📢 Mbariket Export Conference 2026 📍 Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria 📅 Saturday, January 24, 2026 🔥 Meet Rich Mbariket in-person for a full day of U.S.—Nigeria export compliance, risk mitigation, product and packaging feedback, and growth strategies. ⚡ Only 40 seats available 💵 Registration: ₦100,000 👉 Register now and secure your seat today: https://mbariket.com/conference Mbariket | 10x U.S.—Nigeria Exports Driving $100M in export revenue by 2028 🌐 https://mbariket.com | WhatsApp: +1-702-201-8311

📊 Walmart Marketplace Summit Report: Top Selling Categories & What Nigeria Can Export At the 2025 Walmart Seller Summit, Walmart revealed the top-selling categories driving growth on its Marketplace. 🚀 Key Growth Categories 1️⃣ Laptops, Tablets, TVs – Tech upgrades dominate. 2️⃣ Emergency Backup Generators & Relief Products – Preparedness fuels steady demand. 3️⃣ Disposal Tableware, Breakroom Supplies & Shelf-stable Foods – Convenience + bulk buying. 4️⃣ Office & Home Furniture – Hybrid work drives upgrades. 5️⃣ Commercial & Industrial Cleaning Supplies – Essential, repeat-purchase category. 6️⃣ Office Supplies & Storage Solutions – Recurring demand from businesses & schools. 🇳🇬 What Nigeria Can Export ✅ Spices, Edible Oils & Nuts – Spices/seasonings, sesame, cashews, cocoa, groundnut oil, and palm oil fit Walmart’s shelf-stable demand. ✅ Disposal Tableware & Breakroom Supplies – Nigeria’s plastics/paper industries can supply cups, plates, cutlery. ✅ Office & Home Furniture – Timber & furniture hubs (Ikeja, Aba, Benin City) can export affordable, stylish furniture. ✅ Cleaning Supplies – Nigeria produces soaps, detergents, disinfectants, and bleach at scale (Unilever, PZ Cussons, Dangote Chemicals, SMEs). ✅ Office Supplies & Storage – Nigeria’s plastics/light manufacturing can produce filing boxes, bins, paper products, shelving. ⚠️ Tech Products – Not realistic yet due to limited electronics manufacturing. Nigeria should focus on food, furniture, cleaning products, and disposables where it has raw material and production strength. 🔑 Export Takeaway Nigeria doesn’t need to compete in every Walmart growth category. By focusing on spices, oils, nuts, furniture, cleaning products, and disposables, Nigeria can carve out a strong Walmart Marketplace presence and rapidly scale exports. Mbariket | 10x U.S.—Nigeria Exports Driving $100M in export revenue by 2028

There’s virtually no competition for African products on Walmart.com — while China already has a heavy presence here. This opens a massive opportunity for Nigerian manufacturers to develop products tailored for Walmart Marketplace. The next move is clear: connect with existing Walmart sellers and start promoting your products today. Mbariket | 10x U.S.—Nigeria Exports Driving $100M in export revenue by 2028 Home2

African Manufacturers: Want Bigger Export Deals? Start with ISO 9001 Certification. If you’re an African manufacturer serious about competing globally, you must meet international standards. One of the most important is ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems). Buyers in the U.S. and Europe demand this certification before signing contracts. Without it, you’re automatically at a disadvantage. ISO 9001 proves your factory can consistently deliver reliable, compliant products. It also streamlines operations, cuts waste, and reduces costs — giving you both efficiency and credibility. Here’s the truth: without ISO 9001, you’ll keep losing opportunities to competitors in China, India, and elsewhere who already have it. If you want bigger deals and real export growth, this certification is non-negotiable. Mbariket | 10x U.S.—Nigeria Exports 🎯 Scaling to $100M in export revenue by 2028 🌐 https://mbariket.com

Why Nigerian Exporters Aren’t Scaling The #1 reason Nigerian exporters aren’t scaling is simple: they don’t truly want to. Most lack the ambition to scale. Instead, they choose busyness over growth, filling their time with excuses instead of focus.  They keep saying yes to things that hold them back, when scaling requires the discipline to say no. To be ready to scale, you must first want to scale and then start saying no to the very things you once said yes to. Mbariket | 10x U.S.—Nigeria Exports Scaling $100M in export revenue by 2028 https://mbariket.com | WhatsApp: +1-702-201-8311

Final Day: Mbariket Live at SOURCING at MAGIC Las Vegas The clear theme: buyers are asking for export compliance and certifications—and manufacturers and suppliers are using them as their strongest selling points. Today’s U.S. buyers don’t just want great products; they want proof. Safety certifications, proper labeling, packaging compliance, and international standards are what move a product from “interesting sample” to “contract-ready.” On top of that, tariffs are shaping sourcing decisions. From U.S.–China tensions driving up apparel and textile tariffs, to AGOA’s duty-free advantages for African exporters, buyers are paying close attention to cost implications. Manufacturers who can prove compliance and show tariff advantages are in the best position to win long-term contracts. The bottom line: certifications + tariff positioning = competitive edge. That’s the language of trust and profitability in global trade today. Mbariket | 10x U.S.—Nigeria Exports Scaling to $100M in export revenue by 2028 🌐 https://mbariket.com

Day 2 Recap: Mbariket Insights: SOURCING at MAGIC Las Vegas | Fashion Trade Show What’s happening in manufacturing: China continues to invest heavily and strategically in manufacturing in Ghana, building factories, creating supply chains, and offering private-label services tailored to U.S. buyers. This is positioning Ghana as a more attractive sourcing destination, especially under AGOA. Africa’s challenge in branding & marketing: From what I’m seeing, Africa has the talent and production capacity, but branding and marketing remain the weak link. Too often I see generic displays and missed storytelling opportunities. Buyers want more than products. They want compelling narratives, consistent packaging, and confidence that brands can meet U.S. retail standards. Missed opportunities: Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, is notably absent from this year’s show. Without presence and visibility at platforms like MAGIC, African exporters risk losing ground to nations that are showing up, telling their stories, and securing long-term contracts. I also see trade shows being underutilized as opportunities to attract U.S. sales representatives, distributors, and investors. These are the connections that can accelerate entry into global markets, and missing them is a strategic setback. Another issue is that many African exhibitors want to scale and want investors, but they don’t fully understand what it means to give up equity, nor can they clearly articulate the benefits to investors. This lack of clarity makes it difficult to secure the kind of serious backing that can take them to the next level. The U.S. buyer’s perspective: From my conversations here, buyers are looking for reliability, speed, low MOQs, compliance, and strong branding. The ones who stand out are not necessarily the cheapest manufacturers but the ones who package and present themselves as global brands ready for U.S. customers.  Mbariket | 10x U.S.—Nigeria Exports Scaling to $100M in export revenue by 2028 🌐 https://mbariket.com

The U.S. Trade Representative’s 2024 Biennial Report on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) reaffirms Nigeria’s AGOA eligibility—but with key wins and challenges: ✅ Trade & Exports • Nigeria was the #1 AGOA exporter to the U.S. in 2023: $3.8B, mostly crude oil ($3.6B). • Unlike South Africa or Kenya, Nigeria has limited non-oil exports, signaling a need for diversification. ✅ Reforms & Economy • The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was converted to a limited liability company in 2022 to boost transparency and profitability. • However, import bans remain in place, fueling food insecurity, corruption, and poverty. ✅ Governance & Rule of Law • The 2023 elections showed strong political pluralism—opposition parties gained ground even as the ruling party retained the presidency. • Corruption remains widespread: Nigeria ranked 145/180 in Transparency International’s 2023 Index. ✅ Poverty & Social Investment • By late 2022, over 1.6M households received cash transfers, 10M children were fed in schools, 2.4M entrepreneurs got loans, and 1M youth gained training/jobs. • In 2023, the National Social Investment Program Agency was created to expand safety nets, backed by an $800M World Bank loan. • Despite progress, poverty levels remain high, especially in the north. ⚠️ Labor & Human Rights Concerns • Gains: more labor inspections, traffickers prosecuted. • Ongoing issues: child & forced labor, restricted union rights, gender-based violence, limited press freedom. • Same-sex relations remain criminalized nationwide; in 12 Sharia states, penalties can include stoning—though no executions reported. 🔒 Security • Nigeria does not support terrorism and is aligned with U.S. national security interests. 📌 Takeaway: Nigeria is AGOA’s top crude oil exporter but lags in diversification. Social programs show scale, yet poverty, corruption, and human rights concerns continue to threaten long-term gains. Stronger reforms and non-oil export growth are crucial for Nigeria to fully benefit from AGOA. Mbariket | 10x U.S.—Nigeria Exports Scaling to $100M in export revenue by 2028