The Federal Government of Nigeria has concluded its inaugural five-year implementation review of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), marking a pivotal moment in the country’s ongoing efforts to harness the full potential of intra-African trade and position itself as a leading regional economic force.
The comprehensive review, in line with Article 28 of the AfCFTA Agreement, evaluated Nigeria’s performance in delivering on its obligations under the trade pact, particularly in relation to key protocols on trade in goods, trade in services, and dispute resolution.
The assessment was spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, under the leadership of Minister Dr Jumoke Oduwole, with financial and technical backing from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Africa.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Ministry noted that the review reflects Nigeria’s commitment to regional economic integration and its ambition to build a diversified, inclusive, and globally competitive economy.
Dr Oduwole, who initiated the review process, stressed its significance in gauging progress, identifying institutional gaps, and strengthening Nigeria’s readiness for deeper trade ties across the continent.
“Our unwavering commitment to the implementation of the AfCFTA is rooted in the conviction that continental economic integration, driven by trade, is essential for Africa’s collective prosperity and global competitiveness,” she said.
“Nigeria is strategically positioned to serve as an innovation, production, and trade hub within the AfCFTA market.”
The review follows the formation of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee (CCC) in March 2025, also inaugurated by Oduwole. The CCC brings together over 20 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), alongside representatives from the private sector, and functions as Nigeria’s national platform for implementation, negotiation, and domestication of AfCFTA obligations.
Each participating institution was tasked with assessing its policy alignment, institutional capacity, and implementation performance. The result was a set of concrete and actionable policy recommendations aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s trade preparedness.
Oduwole highlighted three key takeaways from the review:
- The scale and complexity of AfCFTA demand a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach.
- Achieving Nigeria’s goals under the agreement requires targeted investments in institutional capacity.
- Innovation, agility, and evidence-based policymaking must underpin Nigeria’s implementation strategy.
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The assessment identified several areas needing urgent attention, including improved inter-agency coordination, greater engagement with the private sector, and ongoing capacity-building. Policy misalignments and logistical challenges were also flagged as barriers to full implementation.
“We are not just reviewing for the sake of compliance,” Oduwole said. “The recommendations from this review will shape the CCC’s work programme, establish performance benchmarks, and fine-tune our national strategy.”
In her foreword to the report, Oduwole expressed gratitude to the UNDP and the CCC for their strategic input and reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to reforms and accountability.
She noted that the review aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises economic diversification through non-oil exports and deeper participation in Africa’s continental trade initiatives.
Looking ahead, the Minister revealed plans to undertake a forward-looking assessment of Phase II AfCFTA Protocols, covering Investment, Intellectual Property Rights, Competition Policy, Digital Trade, and Women and Youth in Trade.
Oduwole also encouraged other AfCFTA member states to conduct similar evaluations and expressed Nigeria’s willingness to share its experience in the spirit of pan-African cooperation.
“Nigeria will continue to lead with vision, expertise and resolve,” she concluded.
“Our objective is clear: to ensure that the AfCFTA serves as a catalyst for economic transformation and sustainable development—not only for Nigeria, but for the entire African continent.”
The completion of the review is seen as a significant step in Nigeria’s AfCFTA journey and a testament to the country’s ambition to play a leadership role in shaping Africa’s economic future.
