The Federal Government has expanded grassroots engagement to help Nigerian businesses tap opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFT).
Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment made this known at a High-impact Sub-national AfCFTA Public Private (P3) Engagement Tour, in Kano.
A statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Augustina Obilor-Duru quoted Oduwole as saying that the engagement aimed at unlocking opportunities under AfCFTA.
“The engagement brought together stakeholders from government and private sector to unlock opportunities under AfCFTA, described as a gateway to a 3.4 trillion dollars market.”
“The collaboration is key to translating AfCFTA into real economic gains,” she said.
Oduwole described Kano as a historic commercial hub and gateway for regional trade, urging stakeholders to leverage its strategic position.
She highlighted Nigeria’s progress, including tariff implementation, digital trade protocol ratification and air cargo corridors from Abuja and Lagos.
She said that the corridors had reduced freight costs and improved access to African markets.
“AfCFTA is a pathway to scale Nigerian businesses across Africa and we are bringing opportunities directly to the people,” she said.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, said the state was ready to maximise AfCFTA opportunities.
He noted investments in infrastructure and plans to train 50,000 MSMEs, especially women and youths.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr Chris Isokpunwu, said the engagement marked a shift from policy discussions to practical implementation.
Isokpunwu said that success would be measured by increased trade volumes and tangible economic outcomes.
The Commissioner for Agriculture of the state, Dr Danjuma Mohammed, noted the need to build capacity on export standards, particularly in agriculture.
According to him, the initiative will prepare producers to meet continental requirements.”
The National Coordinator of the AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs Patience Okala, said simplified tools had been introduced to guide businesses through export processes.
The Director-General, Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiations, Mr Sanusi Rikiji, urged stakeholders to focus on tangible trade outcomes.
Development finance partners, including Afreximbank, pledged support for trade finance, industrialisation and infrastructure.
