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Nigeria has intensified preparations to deepen implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) while positioning the country to project a strong and coordinated voice at the upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference.
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) said the move forms part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in regional trade and maximize the opportunities offered by the continental free trade agreement.
Speaking at the 2026 First Quarter Meeting of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee (CCC) in Abuja, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the committee remains critical to Nigeria’s drive to implement AfCFTA commitments.
She described the CCC as the “engine room driving Nigeria’s AfCFTA delivery,” commending members for their dedication throughout 2025 and highlighting the release of Nigeria’s AfCFTA implementation scorecard earlier this year as a demonstration of transparency and accountability.
Oduwole also revealed that Nigeria has been actively involved in recent high-level consultations among African trade leaders aimed at aligning the continent’s position ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO (MC14), scheduled to hold in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
According to her, the meetings held in Maputo, Mozambique brought together African Trade Ministers, the WTO Director-General, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat and representatives of the African Union to harmonise Africa’s negotiating position.
She noted that the Yaoundé conference would be significant as it marks only the second time the global trade meeting will be hosted on African soil.
The minister stressed that Nigeria is adopting a “whole-of-country and whole-of-economy” strategy to prepare for the summit.
“Nigeria is adopting a whole-of-country and whole-of-economy approach in preparing for MC14, with strong representation from the private sector, trade associations, customs authorities, standards agencies and relevant government institutions under the coordination of FMITI,” she said.
Oduwole identified key priority areas for Nigeria’s engagement at the global trade gathering to include e-commerce, investment facilitation for development, agriculture and broader trade reforms capable of boosting national economic growth.
She further disclosed that Nigeria is strengthening its leadership position as a Digital Trade Champion under AfCFTA, adding that the country plans to host several engagements during the year to expand digital trade and improve export competitiveness.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s non-oil exports to African markets have continued to grow, underscoring the importance of regional trade in supporting economic stability.
To deepen awareness and participation, she announced that the ministry will begin subnational intervention tours across the six geopolitical zones starting in April.
The initiative, she said, will take AfCFTA opportunities directly to states and businesses while identifying export-ready products from different parts of the country.
The programme is also expected to help local businesses better understand how to access continental markets under the trade agreement.
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Addressing global economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, Oduwole said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to implementing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She noted that recent economic reforms have helped stabilise the economy and placed Nigeria at a critical turning point.
According to her, the focus now should be on sustaining production and leveraging global and regional trade platforms to strengthen private sector growth.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, represented by the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Mohammed Naziru Abbas, said the Central Coordination Committee plays a vital role in ensuring effective policy coordination.
He described the CCC as “a vital platform for policy alignment, inter-agency coordination and performance monitoring of Nigeria’s AfCFTA commitments.”
Rimi urged members to adopt a solution-driven approach to implementing the agreement, stressing the importance of discipline, measurable results and accountability.
According to him, AfCFTA represents a transformative opportunity capable of driving industrial growth, export diversification and regional value chain integration.
Providing further insight into preparations ahead of MC14, Special Adviser to the Minister, Mrs. Patience Okala, briefed participants on the committee’s “Road to MC14,” the upcoming P3 Subnational Tours and Nigeria’s AfCFTA Week activities.
She explained that participants at the recent P3 Summit conducted an extensive review of key AfCFTA protocols including Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Investment, Digital Trade and Women and Youth in Trade.
Okala said the review was aimed at deepening technical understanding and improving coordinated implementation across institutions.
She also revealed that one major outcome of the summit was the simplification of AfCFTA frameworks into more accessible language to encourage greater private sector participation.
“User-friendly AfCFTA guides are being developed and translated into major local languages to ensure broader understanding and engagement nationwide,” she said.
The committee also unveiled a National Action Plan to guide implementation and established a governance subcommittee to strengthen coordination.
The subcommittee, chaired by Mrs. Chioma Chudi-Anaukwu, has already commenced work and will present its framework at a formal launch in the coming months.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to strengthen institutional coordination, consolidate Nigeria’s AfCFTA gains and ensure that continental trade opportunities translate into tangible economic benefits for Nigerian businesses and citizens.
