Nigeria Targets 40% GDP Growth by 2030 Through AfCFTA — Government Deepens Trade, Industrial Reforms
The Federal Government has announced an ambitious plan to grow Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 40 percent by the year 2030, using the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a catalyst for industrial expansion, export growth, and job creation. Officials say the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of driving economic diversification, boosting local manufacturing, and integrating Nigeria into Africa’s $3.4 trillion single market.
Speaking in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, said the government is scaling up implementation through a nationwide training initiative on Rules of Origin, which determines which goods qualify for tariff-free access under the AfCFTA. The programme, organised in partnership with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and funded under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa Programme, is being implemented by the Nigeria Customs Service, led by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi.
Awolowo noted that the renewed strategy prioritises human capital development and institutional reform to make AfCFTA work for Nigerian manufacturers, exporters, and service providers. “With the right structures, skills, and partnerships in place, Nigeria’s GDP could expand by as much as 40 percent by 2030,” he said, adding that the initiative will empower local businesses to understand trade rules, enhance product competitiveness, and access new markets across Africa.
A representative of the WCO, Ms. Faith Mathenge, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to helping Nigeria bridge technical knowledge gaps in trade procedures. She explained that the EU-WCO Programme supports customs administrations and private operators across Africa, helping them implement AfCFTA efficiently through training, knowledge exchange, and technical assistance. According to her, Nigeria’s active participation underscores its strong commitment to regional trade integration and competitiveness.
Reiterating the government’s focus, Mr. Olusegun Olutayo, a senior trade expert representing Awolowo, emphasised that mastering the Rules of Origin will help Nigerian industries reduce reliance on imports and expand domestic production. He said Nigeria’s vast population and industrial base provide a natural advantage under AfCFTA — but only if the nation builds the skills and institutions needed to compete effectively within Africa’s emerging borderless trade environment.
source: The sun