Nigeria’s paint industry navigates regulatory changes and economic challenges amid push for lead-free future

Nigeria’s paint and coatings industry, along with its key construction sector partner, stands at a crossroads, balancing economic pressures with regulatory demands in a simultaneous push for growth and sustainability. Recent developments highlight the complex landscape facing manufacturers, regulators and consumers alike in Africa’s most populous country, with a population of 230 million.

The paint, wallpaper and supplies market in Nigeria generated revenue of USD 2.58 billion in 2024, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 4.01% from 2024 to 2029, according to Germany-based data service Statista. Statista concluded: “Nigeria’s growing middle class is driving increased demand for premium paint and wallpaper products in the home improvement market.” (Source) This growth is occurring despite the country’s high inflation rate.

A market survey conducted in September 2024 (Source) by the Nigerian financial newspaper Nairametrics revealed substantial price hikes across all major paint types. Average emulsion paint prices increased by 70% year-on-year in 2024, satin paint prices rose by 30%, and prices for premium brands doubled.

The growth persists despite fluctuations in the fortunes of Nigeria’s construction industry, with year-on-year growth expected to slow from 3.6% in 2023 to 1.2% in 2024, according to UK-based market research company GlobalData. This deceleration is attributed to persistently high and rising inflation — 32.7% in September 2024 — increasing public debt (which pressures the government to reduce housing and infrastructure programmes), and rising interest rates. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to raise its monetary policy rate to 27.25% in September 2024 has intensified pressures on borrowing and investment in the sector. Furthermore, the weakening Nigerian Naira has made imported materials more expensive, with USD 1 buying NGN 884 in January and NGN 1,654 in October, thus elevating construction costs as well as the cost of imported paint ingredients for Nigerian coating manufacturers.

Despite these challenges, the country’s construction industry shows resilience and is projected to rebound with an average annual growth of 3.1% from 2025 to 2028, according to GlobalData. This growth is expected to be driven by investments in the transport, housing, and oil and gas sectors, reflecting the strong underlying demand for infrastructure and housing in Nigeria’s rapidly urbanising society.

Indeed, despite financial constraints, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has launched ambitious projects to address the housing deficit. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, announced a target of constructing 550,000 new housing units nationwide annually over the next 10 years, requiring an investment of NGN 5.5 trillion (USD 3.3 billion) to reduce the national housing shortage.

For example, in September 2024, construction began on 500 housing units in Kano State, including semi-detached bungalows.

Dr Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev) Nigeria, commented to PPCJ on the impact of these housing initiatives on paint procurement: “These projects not only address the housing deficit but also present an opportunity to implement lead-free paint standards on a large scale, promoting both economic growth and public health.”

Regulatory Milestones and Industry Transformation 

Nigeria has made considerable progress in regulating lead in paints. In March 2024, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) signed and gazetted the National Environmental (Chemicals and Pesticides) Regulations, imposing the internationally accepted limit of 90 ppm (parts per million) for lead content in paint. The regulations outline enforcement measures, offences, and penalties (Source)

Furthermore, Nigeria’s paint industry has shown increasing awareness of the need to transition away from lead-based products. Dr Adogame noted: “I must stress that lead is not needed in paint.” However, challenges remain, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These include limited availability of lead-free alternatives, economic pressures, and a lack of technical expertise to facilitate the shift from lead. Dr Adogame explained that “the majority of SMEs do not have the know-how,” adding that only major companies in Nigeria can afford to employ qualified professionals, “such as BSc and Master’s degree holders in Chemistry or Chemical Technology,” to oversee changes in ingredients.

Consumer Awareness and Education 

Meanwhile, public awareness remains a challenge. Dr Adogame estimates that consumer awareness of lead paint issues is currently “below 50%,” highlighting the need for continued education.

As a result, SRADev Nigeria has been spreading the word. Dr Adogame explained: “We launched a project called ‘Schools without Lead Paints,’ where we’re engaging with school principals and tutors—who usually repaint their schools every year or two—encouraging them to embrace lead-free paints.” This initiative also creates practical demand for lead-free paints, potentially driving changes in both the market and the industry.

NESREA’s National Environmental (Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Soaps and Detergents Manufacturing Industries) Regulations 2009 had already addressed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint products, with limits ranging from 20mg/Nm3 to 50mg/Nm3.

“These regulations demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to reducing the health and environmental impacts of the paint and coatings sector,” it told PPCJ.

Industry Insider Perspective 

Omolade Igiebunu, Co-Founder of Ogun state-based Pemjolad Paint and Chemicals Ltd, told PPCJ about Nigerian paint and coating sales this year: “There has been a decline lately due to the current market realities of Nigeria’s economy, the forex situation, and all,” she explained. Nigeria’s GDP is projected to grow by 3.3% in 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund. The shortage of foreign exchange has particularly impacted manufacturers who rely heavily on imported raw materials for their production processes, said Igiebunu.

To remain competitive in this challenging environment, Pemjolad Paint has implemented several adaptive strategies. The company has focused on maintaining its quality standards while adjusting prices to reflect the increased costs. It has introduced new product lines with different formulations and warranties to cater to varying customer needs and budgets. Omolade emphasised the importance of educating customers about these product differences and their appropriate use cases.

Igiebunu also highlighted the limited access to government support programmes, intense competition from cheaper imported products, and a high tax burden coupled with a complex regulatory environment as challenges for Nigerian paint and coatings companies. Irregular energy supplies also require private investment from manufacturers, such as purchasing generators, which further strains resources. As a result, Nigerian paint manufacturers are often “struggling” and just “staying afloat,” she noted.

Omolade called for increased government backing of local manufacturers, including better access to funding, greater patronage of Nigerian-made products in public projects, a review of import policies, and a streamlined tax system. These measures could significantly boost the competitiveness of local producers, she said.

This includes a shift towards more popular products. For example, India-based business analysis company Mordor Intelligence has stated that epoxy-based protective coatings are gaining prominence in the Nigerian market (Source). These coatings offer superior protection against acids, alkalis, solvents, and other chemical agents, making them ideal for industrial applications and infrastructure projects.

To discuss opportunities and challenges for the sector not only in Nigeria but across West Africa, dmg events and the Paint Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMA) will stage the ‘West Africa Coatings Show’ from July 2-4, 2025, at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital. With 1,200 attendees expected, global buyers and suppliers will have the opportunity to find new customers in the region and explore the latest technologies for the sector. Speakers will also assess the latest industry products, innovations and trends.

With Nigeria’s ambitious 30-year infrastructure plan aiming to increase the value of the country’s infrastructure stock to the World Bank benchmark of 70% of GDP by 2043 (up from 30% in 2023), demand for protective coatings, in particular, is expected to rise significantly, with such innovations yielding positive results.

Omolade encapsulates the resilience and determination of local manufacturers: “We just need that little support. We will do the rest.”

By Samuel Okocha, in Abuja