Nigeria Advances AfCFTA Readiness with Key Trade Milestones

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced significant advancements in the country’s readiness to engage in trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) confirmed that Nigeria has met critical obligations related to trade in goods, services, and digital commerce. This progress was detailed in the “Nigeria AfCFTA Achievements Report 2025.”

Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, stated that the ministry has implemented strategic initiatives designed to empower Nigerian businesses to thrive within the AfCFTA framework. Oduwole emphasized that Nigerian products and enterprises stand to gain from preferential treatment in the continental market.

The AfCFTA is heralded as a pivotal step in Africa’s journey towards trade-driven economic integration. By progressively eliminating tariffs and fostering regulatory cooperation among member states, the agreement aims to create a more favorable economic environment for producers, investors, and traders across the continent.

Nigeria’s Role in AfCFTA Development

According to the report, Nigeria plays a crucial role in Africa’s trade integration efforts, having laid the groundwork through various significant initiatives. The Lagos Plan of Action, established in 1980, and the Abuja Treaty of 1991 are just two examples of Nigeria’s early contributions to regional economic integration. Notably, the final negotiations for the AfCFTA Agreement took place in Nigeria in 2017, further cementing the country’s influence in this area.

Nigeria signed the AfCFTA Agreement in 2019 and ratified it in 2020. In 2025, the government revitalized its implementation efforts, leading to several notable initiatives. Nigeria became the first AfCFTA State Party to conduct a review of the agreement’s implementation at the five-year mark. This review, published in July 2025, serves as an objective evaluation of the challenges and successes experienced thus far, guiding future actions by FMITI and the AfCFTA Continental Coordination Committee (CCC).

Key Initiatives and Outcomes

In November 2025, FMITI convened the AfCFTA Public Sector, Private Sector, and Press (P3) Summit, aiming to enhance understanding of the AfCFTA framework and its implications for Nigeria. This summit marked the beginning of a nationwide AfCFTA Sensitization and Consultation Campaign, which will work towards creating a national blueprint that ensures the AfCFTA operates effectively for Nigeria.

The report highlighted several key achievements, including the articulation of roles and responsibilities for AfCFTA implementation among constituent institutions. Additionally, the framework for the AfCFTA CCC National Action Plan has been made publicly accessible, fostering transparency and accountability.

FMITI, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, has committed to partnering with state governments to identify at least one product from each local government area that can be exported to the AfCFTA market. This initiative underscores Nigeria’s commitment to developing a robust national strategy for engaging with the continental trade agreement.

The report also outlined core elements of a national AfCFTA market strategy, which will be further refined through consultations with private sector stakeholders throughout 2026.

As Nigeria continues to solidify its position within the AfCFTA framework, the government remains focused on ensuring that the continent’s economic development ambitions align with the goals of the AfCFTA, ultimately driving prosperity across the nation and the broader African market.