Nigeria’s implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is facing delays due to key domestic processes, such as gazetting tariff concessions and domestication of the trade agreement, Shipping Position Daily has gathered.
In an exclusive interaction with Mr. Segun Olutayo, Senior Trade Policy and Law Expert and Lead for Trade Enablement at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, he revealed that while Nigeria has made some progress, critical procedural requirements are still being finalized.
He informed that although the first shipment under AfCFTA has arrived in its destination, which is Kenya, however at the domestic level, the country is still working on certain aspects, particularly the gazetting of schedule of tariff concessions and domestication of the agreement.
“The first shipment under AfCFTA has arrived in its destination, which is Kenya. However, at the domestic level, we are still working on certain aspects, particularly the gazetting of our schedule of tariff concessions and domestication of the agreement,” Olutayo disclosed.
One of the primary requirements for Nigeria to fully-implement the AfCFTA is the gazetting of its schedule of tariff concessions. This legal process formalizes the country’s trade commitments under the agreement and makes them binding.
“Every state party to AfCFTA must gazette their schedule of tariff concessions. We are working on that, but it is a process that must be completed properly,” Olutayo explained.
When asked about what is delaying the gazetting, he refrained from calling it challenges, but emphasized that it follows a structured procedure that must be adhered to. “It’s not an omelet that you just prepare in minutes. It is a process, and we must ensure that all required procedures are followed”, he stated.
Beyond gazetting, another key area he said the Nigerian AfCFTA Coordination Office is working on is the domestication of the agreement. Domestication refers to integrating AfCFTA provisions into Nigeria’s national legal framework to ensure compliance at all levels.
While Olutayo did not provide extensive details, he hinted that the process involves aligning AfCFTA rules with local trade policies, regulations, and enforcement mechanisms. This is necessary to ensure businesses and regulatory agencies can operate within the framework effectively.
Despite these procedural delays, Olutayo insisted that Nigeria is making steady efforts to ensure compliance with AfCFTA requirements. “Even though progress may not be as fast as some would expect, work is ongoing to ensure all these elements are properly implemented,” he assured. He also assured that further updates will be provided once key milestones are achieved.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has joined other world leaders in advocating for the full implementation of the AfCFTA, aiming to elevate Africa’s economy to $29 trillion by 2050.
In a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to leading the AfCFTA initiative and leveraging its market potential for digital transformation and economic integration across the continent.
But, the World Economic Forum (WEF) President Børge Brende highlighted the transformative potential of the AfCFTA, projecting that its full implementation could significantly boost Africa’s economy by 2050.
During the “Forum Friends of AfCFTA: Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa” session at the recent 2025 WEF annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Shettima and other global leaders expressed their nations’ support for the AfCFTA.
Addressing the forum, Vice President Shettima emphasized Nigeria’s dedication to the AfCFTA as a means of achieving shared prosperity. He noted that Africa is uniquely positioned to address global talent shortages, citing a Korn Ferry study predicting a global human talent deficit of over 85 million people by 2030.
“By 2050, Nigeria’s population will surpass that of the United States, becoming the third most populous nation on earth at 440 million people,” Shettima stated.
Highlighting Africa’s expanding digital landscape, Shettima pointed out Nigeria’s technological advancements, with 220 million telecom subscribers and 163 million internet users. He emphasized the potential for digital empowerment and economic growth, comparing Nigeria’s highest oil export earnings of $35 billion in 2011 to India’s $120 billion earnings from outsourcing last year.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area is not only an economic arrangement but a bold statement of our shared destiny,” Shettima asserted, adding that while Africa may have missed the agricultural and industrial revolutions, it is well-positioned to thrive in the post-industrial knowledge age.
The WEF President; Brende, welcoming Shettima and other African leaders, underscored Africa’s demographic advantage and its potential for unprecedented growth. He noted that supporting AfCFTA Secretary General Mene Wamkele could boost intra-African trade by 50%.
“As of today, $29 trillion represents one-third of the global GDP. Africa is such a growing continent, and one of its key promises is demography. The challenge now is creating new jobs for the youth population,” Brende stated.
