In a landmark move to bolster Africa-wide trade, Nigeria has officially signed and submitted the ECOWAS Tariff Offer under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), effectively establishing zero duties on 90% of goods traded within Africa.
Driving Africa’s Economic Integration
This bold step was announced by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, via her official X (formerly Twitter) handle. She hailed the development as a critical milestone in deepening Nigeria’s role in shaping the future of African trade, while unlocking a wealth of opportunities for Nigerian exporters and businesses.
Speaking at the Conference of African Trade Ministers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dr. Oduwole highlighted the importance of the tariff commitment:
“As Nigeria reviews its five-year journey with AfCFTA implementation, it is clear that Nigerian entrepreneurs are ready to take on the challenge of expanding across borders. We celebrate this feat and are committed to supporting them through instruments like the tariff gazetting for our AfCFTA schedules.”
Boosting Entrepreneurship and Economic Expansion
Dr. Oduwole congratulated the Nigerian business community for its tenacity and innovation, emphasizing the government’s commitment to providing the infrastructure, policy support, and guidance necessary to succeed in Africa’s growing single market.
“We’re thankful to Nigerian entrepreneurs for their resilient spirit. The AfCFTA offers them the chance to export their goods across Africa and earn valuable foreign exchange,” she said.
She underscored the immense potential of the AfCFTA—a single market of 1.4 billion people and a $3.4 trillion regional economy, describing it as the world’s largest free trade zone.
Creating a More Inclusive Trade Ecosystem
The Minister also emphasized the potential of the agreement to empower women- and youth-led businesses, providing them with access to new markets and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Furthermore, she reaffirmed Nigeria’s ambition to lead the digital trade framework, positioning the country as a strong competitor in both goods and services across the continent.
Commitment to Clarity and Compliance
By signing the ECOWAS tariff offer, Nigeria becomes the 23rd AfCFTA State Party to gazette its Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions (PSTCs)—a formal step that ensures clarity, predictability, and legal backing for preferential trade treatment.
“This confirms Nigeria’s readiness to implement its trade commitments under AfCFTA, and gives assurance to African partners that eligible goods will benefit from reduced tariffs at the point of importation,” Oduwole added.
Bottom Line: With this strategic tariff agreement, Nigeria signals its readiness to lead on the continental stage, expand market access for local businesses, and further strengthen its economic influence across Africa.
