Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Nigeria has assumed the Chairmanship of the Bureau of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers Responsible for Trade, reaffirming its commitment to accelerating the implementation of the landmark continental agreement to unlock industrialization, boost intra-African trade and deliver inclusive economic growth across Africa. This was contained in a statement signed by Obilor-Duru Augustina Okechi, Head, Press, and Public Relations, FMITI.
Speaking at the 18th meeting of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers Responsible for Trade in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, described the AfCFTA as one of the African Union’s most transformative initiatives and emphasized that Africa must now move beyond negotiations to delivering measurable economic outcomes for businesses, women, youth entrepreneurs and over 1.4 billion Africans.
Dr. Oduwole highlighted Nigeria’s significant milestones in implementing the Agreement, including the operationalization of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, submission of tariff concessions and services commitments, nationwide stakeholder engagement, export readiness programmes, support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and Nigeria’s pioneering role in digital trade as the first State Party to approve ratification of the Protocol on Digital Trade.
Assuming the Chairmanship of the AfCFTA Council Bureau, the Minister pledged that Nigeria would work closely with Member States, the AfCFTA Secretariat, development finance institutions and the private sector to deepen implementation of the Agreement.
She outlined priorities centred on strengthening regional value chains, expanding digital trade and infrastructure, increasing access to trade finance, empowering women and youth-led enterprises, and promoting stronger public-private collaboration.
She also urged Member States to embrace emerging legal instruments, including the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Electronic Cargo Documents, to modernize trade documentation, reduce transaction costs, and facilitate secure cross-border digital trade.
The outgoing Chair of the Bureau, Dr. Mohammed Saleh of Egypt commended Nigeria for hosting the meeting and expressed confidence in the country’s ability to lead the next phase of the AfCFTA. Reflecting on Egypt’s tenure, he highlighted major achievements, including progress on complex Rules of Origin negotiations for textiles, apparel and automotive products, as well as the adoption of key regulatory frameworks on digital trade, financial and communication services, competition policy and intellectual property rights.
He stressed that Africa’s next priority should be accelerating implementation through expanded tariff concessions, stronger customs cooperation, improved digital trade systems, and greater private sector participation.
In his welcome address, AfCFTA Secretary-General, Mr. Wamkele Mene noted that the adoption of the remaining annexes to the Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights marked the completion of Phase II negotiations, ushering in a new era focused on implementation.
He revealed that more than 10,000 certificates of origin had been issued under the Agreement by March 2026, demonstrating growing commercial activity under the AfCFTA framework.
He added that intra-African trade is projected to reach approximately US$230 billion in 2026, driven increasingly by manufacturing and value-added products.
Mene further observed that shifting global supply chains, digital transformation, and Africa’s youthful population present unprecedented opportunities for the continent to strengthen its position in global trade. He called for enhanced collaboration among Member States, development finance institutions, and the private sector while advocating sustainable financing for the AfCFTA Secretariat to support expanding implementation efforts.
He also welcomed the African Union’s decision, empowering the AfCFTA Council of Ministers to engage external partners with one unified African voice on trade and investment.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by Member States to translate the AfCFTA’s legal and institutional achievements into concrete economic outcomes through stronger regional value chains, industrial development, digital innovation, improved trade facilitation and deeper continental integration.
As Nigeria begins its tenure as Chair of the Council Bureau, expectations are high that the country will provide strategic leadership to accelerate implementation of the Agreement and position the AfCFTA as a powerful engine for Africa’s industrial competitiveness, economic resilience and shared prosperity.
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