The Determinants of Overseas Sales Expansion of African Food Products and Its Implications for SME Growth in Nigeria

Growing global demand for African food products has not translated into sustained overseas sales of many Nigerian SMEs. The study focuses on the determinants of overseas sales expansion of African food products and Nigerian SME growth. A mixed-methods design was adopted. The sample size was 584 for export-oriented SMEs selected through multi-stage sampling techniques; complemented by key-informant interviews in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, which served as strata, with proportionate allocation across the zones and simple random respondents. Results revealed that product quality and certification compliance, and access to export finance were the most significant determinants of overseas sales expansion (p < 0.05). Moreover, overseas sales expansion showed a positive and significant relationship with SME growth indicators, including revenue, employment, and technological upgrading. The study concludes that while global demand presents opportunities, Nigerian SMEs require targeted support to overcome structural and institutional barriers. The study recommended that government and trade agencies should strengthen export certification and standards compliance support for SMEs; financial institutions and policymakers should design tailored export finance and risk-mitigation instruments; and stakeholders should invest in cold-chain logistics, digital commerce platforms, and diaspora market linkages to enhance SME competitiveness.