The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering tangible results under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasizing that 2026 will focus on implementation rather than policy conceptualization. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, speaking at the First Quarter 2026 AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee (CCC) meeting in Abuja, highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts to deepen subnational export expansion and reinforce Nigeria’s continental leadership.
Oduwole, represented by her Special Adviser, Patience Okala, revealed that the committee presented Volume 1 of the ABC simplified tools. Designed by public sector members, the guide provides clear processes for Nigerian businesses to engage with AfCFTA institutions, tap into investment opportunities, and expand regional market access. “AfCFTA implementation must be coordinated, measurable, simplified, and driven by institutional accountability,” she said, stressing the need for practical tools to translate policy into action.
The committee also received a governance report highlighting the importance of defined roles, reporting lines, and decision-making thresholds as AfCFTA implementation deepens. Oduwole emphasized that the CCC must function as a performance-driven mechanism, aligned with Nigeria’s National Action Plan, with the Institutional Performance Barometer ensuring accountability. She added that moving beyond federal coordination to include states, industrial clusters, and export corridors is critical for unlocking the full potential of Africa’s trade pact.
Nigeria is also preparing strategically for the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), where global trade rules and reforms will be debated. Oduwole noted that African Ministers of Trade recently met in Maputo, Mozambique, to adopt consolidated positions on WTO reform, agriculture, digital trade, and investment facilitation. Strengthening regional coherence under AfCFTA, she said, would amplify Africa’s negotiating leverage in global trade discussions.
Looking ahead, the ministry will commence a subnational intervention tour across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones in April to promote export competitiveness and raise market awareness. Oduwole underscored the importance of listening to the private sector, particularly on logistics costs, certification systems, trade finance access, payment solutions, and market intelligence. “The work of this committee is not procedural. It is transformational,” she concluded, urging producers to seize opportunities under AfCFTA to strengthen Nigeria’s economic resilience.
source: Business day