The Federal Government has launched simplified books and toolkits aimed at enhancing Nigeria's participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The initiative seeks to ease trade procedures and boost non-oil exports.
The new resources are available in English, Arabic, and Hausa to promote inclusivity and prepare Nigerian businesses for opportunities in continental trade. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, unveiled the initiative in Kano during the North-West Subnational Tour and Public-Private-Press (P3) engagement on AfCFTA implementation.
Dr Oduwole stated that the materials simplify trade rules, including rules of origin, customs procedures, standards compliance, and market entry requirements, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and informal traders. She said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure prosperity reaches citizens at all levels.
“We are here to make trade practical, simple, and actionable. Many businesses still struggle with export procedures, and this engagement is to close that gap,” she said.
Oduwole announced that regulatory agencies would remain in Kano for days to provide on-the-spot services, including business registration, product certification, and issuance of certificates of origin for exporters. She also unveiled plans for live export simulations and hands-on training sessions for businesses.
The Federal Government introduced the “One Local Government, One Export Product” initiative to promote grassroots production. “We want every local government to identify at least one product they can export to Africa. We are making the process easy and immediate,” she added.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria had recorded major gains under AfCFTA implementation, including the launch of an air cargo corridor that reduced freight costs by about 75 per cent across selected African routes. Nigerian products such as food items, textiles, and processed goods are already gaining strong demand across African markets.
Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf described Kano as Africa's historic commercial hub and a natural gateway for continental trade. Represented by Secretary to the State Government Umar Farouk-Ibrahim, the governor said Kano is ready to fully key into AfCFTA opportunities through industrialisation, logistics expansion, and SME development.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Chris Isokpunwu, explained that the engagement marks a shift from policy awareness to practical implementation of AfCFTA at the grassroots. The newly launched books and toolkits will help businesses better understand trade procedures and move from interest to actual exports.
Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, said the agency is committed to supporting local manufacturers to improve product quality and scale production for African markets. Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs Nonye Ayeni, reported that the country recorded $6.1 billion in non-oil exports in 2025, the highest in its history.
National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs Patience Okala, said the new toolkits, described as the “ABCs of doing business under AfCFTA,” were produced in multiple languages to ensure inclusivity. She added that Nigeria has made progress in digital trade protocols, tariff concessions, and cross-border trade facilitation.
Last month, the AfCFTA Secretariat selected Nigeria as the pilot country for implementing its Simplified Trade Regime (STR) in West Africa. This framework simplifies procedures for small-scale traders involved in cross-border trade, offering easier access to regional markets and facilitating greater economic integration across the continent.
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada noted that Nigeria's role in supporting small-scale traders is critical to advancing intra-African trade and overcoming challenges posed by complex customs procedures and high transaction costs. A delegation from the AfCFTA Secretariat, led by Pedro Estevao, visited the country to engage with the NCS and expedite implementation of the STR at NCS headquarters in Abuja.
