Nigeria has launched a coordinated national push to strengthen its leadership role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), bringing government institutions, private-sector actors, and the media into a unified strategy to advance the continent’s largest economic integration project.
The initiative was highlighted at the inaugural AfCFTA Public–Private–Press (P3) Summit, convened by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) in collaboration with the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee, with support from Afreximbank and other partners.
The summit, themed “AfCFTA Simplified: Seizing Opportunities for Government and Business to Win Together,” aims to deepen national understanding of the agreement and accelerate coordinated implementation.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said Nigeria is advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by expanding trade integration and strengthening economic resilience amid a shifting global economy.
She described the AfCFTA as “one of the world’s most ambitious economic integration projects,” covering a $3.4 trillion market of 1.4 billion people, the majority of whom are young and entrepreneurial.
Dr Oduwole reaffirmed that Nigeria’s economic ambitions are tied to a more active participation in intra-African trade, noting that “Africa retains more value when trading within the continent.”
She cited Nigeria’s historic role in regional integration—from the Lagos Plan of Action to the Abuja Treaty—and highlighted key milestones recorded in 2025.
These include tariff concessions for AfCFTA-eligible goods, expanded digital trade leadership, improved customs capacity, new air-cargo export routes, and the launch of market intelligence tools for exporters.
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The minister stressed that the next phase of implementation requires detailed planning across all sectors.
“Government institutions will adopt a performance barometer, the private sector will define pillars of Nigeria’s AfCFTA market strategy, and the media will ensure accurate and constructive national communication”.
She urged all stakeholders to work collectively toward building a continental marketplace “Made, Powered and Led by Nigeria.”
National Transformation
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of FMITI, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, described the summit as a landmark convergence of “the three pillars of national transformation—public, private and press.”
He said Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, has both an obligation and an opportunity to lead AfCFTA implementation.
Representing the public sector, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, underscored the need for clarity of responsibilities and better governance alignment to support national economic priorities. He called for stronger coordination to ensure Nigeria maximises AfCFTA benefits.
Speaking for the private sector, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, represented by Suleiman Adeboyo Audu, commended the P3 initiative for uniting key actors whose collaboration is essential for continental integration.
He emphasised that simplifying Africa’s largest free trade area is challenging but achievable “through collective leadership and determination.”
The press, represented by NTA’s Director of News, Dr Halima Musa, welcomed the recognition of the media as a core partner in implementation. She affirmed the sector’s readiness to provide Nigerians with clear, reliable, and constructive information that aligns with national objectives.