The Nigerian Government has introduced simplified guidebooks and trade toolkits to ease businesses’ participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), strengthening the country’s push for expanded intra-African trade.
The initiative was unveiled in Kano by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, during the North-West Subnational Tour and Public-Private-Press (P3) engagement on AfCFTA implementation.
The materials, produced in English, Hausa, and Arabic, are designed to simplify complex trade requirements such as rules of origin, customs processes, standards compliance, and market entry guidelines, particularly for small and medium enterprises and informal traders.
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Oduwole explained that the effort supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a focus on ensuring inclusive economic growth.
She noted that many businesses face challenges navigating export procedures, and the new resources are intended to make cross-border trade more accessible and practical.
As part of the engagement, regulatory agencies are expected to remain in Kano for several days, offering on-the-spot services including business registration, product certification, and issuance of certificates of origin.
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The Minister also disclosed plans for practical export simulations and training sessions to better prepare businesses for continental trade.
She further highlighted the “One Local Government, One Export Product” initiative, which encourages each local government area to identify and develop at least one exportable product.
According to her, the government is working to simplify processes and accelerate participation in African markets.
Oduwole revealed that Nigeria had already recorded progress under AfCFTA, including the introduction of an air cargo corridor that has significantly reduced freight costs on selected African routes.
She added that Nigerian goods, especially food products, textiles, and processed items, are increasingly gaining traction across the continent.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk-Ibrahim, described Kano as a historic centre of commerce and a strategic gateway for African trade.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to leveraging AfCFTA through industrial growth, improved logistics, and support for small businesses.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chris Isokpunwu, said the programme represents a shift from policy discussions to practical implementation at the grassroots level.
He expressed confidence that the new materials would help businesses transition from interest in exporting to actual participation.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Halilu, reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting manufacturers in improving product quality and scaling production for regional markets.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed that Nigeria achieved a record $6.1 billion in non-oil exports in 2025. She described AfCFTA as a major avenue for expanding the country’s export capacity and strengthening its role in African trade.
The National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Patience Okala, added that the newly introduced toolkit, tagged the “ABCs of doing business under AfCFTA”, was developed in multiple languages to ensure wider accessibility.
She also noted progress in areas such as digital trade protocols, tariff reductions, and cross-border facilitation.
The Kano engagement continues with technical sessions, regulatory clinics, and export simulations aimed at equipping Nigerian businesses to take full advantage of continental trade opportunities.