In a major step toward deepening continental trade integration, Nigeria has officially gazetted and transmitted the ECOWAS Schedule of Tariff Offers for Trade in Goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to the AfCFTA Secretariat.
The move comes ahead of the 16th AfCFTA Council of Ministers Meeting on Trade, slated for April 15 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to unlocking the potential of the AfCFTA.
Signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the gazetted schedule lays the groundwork for implementing zero duties on 90 percent of tariff lines, opening Nigeria’s goods to increased market access and competitiveness across Africa’s rapidly expanding single market.
The transmission of the ECOWAS tariff schedule reaffirms Nigeria’s readiness to operate under AfCFTA’s preferential trade regime and underlines the country’s strategic intent to drive export-led growth, attract intra-African investment, and rebalance its trade position.
Commenting on the development, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, described the move as a transformative leap for Nigeria’s trade agenda.
“The gazetting and transmission of the ECOWAS Schedule of Tariffs to the AfCFTA Secretariat signals Nigeria’s readiness for trade under the Agreement,” she said.
“This milestone enables Nigerian exporters to leverage preferential tariff access across African markets, positioning Nigeria as a key player in regional and global trade.”
Nigeria first participated in AfCFTA trade in July 2024, with the inaugural shipment of goods under the agreement. The formal gazetting now sets the stage for accelerated engagement, particularly for exporters, manufacturers, and SMEs looking to expand their footprint within the continent.
The implications of this milestone are far-reaching implications like; tariff elimination on 90% of goods which enhances Nigeria’s export competitiveness across African markets. Another merit is that lower barriers offer small and medium enterprises new opportunities to scale operations regionally.
A surge in exports is expected to attract intra-African and foreign direct investment, with a positive ripple effect on employment. Nigeria’s active participation reinforces its influence within ECOWAS and the broader AfCFTA economic bloc. Under Nigeria’s phased tariff reduction strategy, a 10-year liberalization process—starting from 2021—is in motion. By 2025, a 50% tariff reduction will be in effect for trade with Africa’s least developed countries, progressing at a rate of 10% annually.
In trade with more developed African economies, Nigeria will implement full tariff elimination at a 20% annual reduction rate—demonstrating flexibility and alignment with African Union guidelines set during the 35th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government in 2022.
With the gazetting now complete, other AfCFTA State Parties are authorized to accept Nigerian consignments under the trade framework, ensuring the country’s exports are accorded preferential treatment.