Renowned international trade law scholar and AfCFTA expert, Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, has outlined the far-reaching implications of Nigeria’s assumption of the Chairmanship of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers, describing it as a strategic opportunity to shape Africa’s trade future while accelerating Nigeria’s economic transformation.
According to Prof. Ladan, Nigeria’s emergence as Chair of the Council of Ministers places the country at the centre of continental trade policymaking, allowing it to influence reforms that advance industrialisation, export diversification, digital trade, and regional economic integration.
He noted that the assumption of office by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, as Chair of the Council provides Nigeria with a unique platform to champion practical solutions to non-tariff barriers, transit challenges, customs harmonisation, and digital trade integration across Africa.
Coordinating National Trade Strategy
Prof. Ladan explained that Nigeria has already adopted a coordinated implementation strategy through the establishment of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee (CCC), a multi-sectoral platform comprising more than twenty public and private sector institutions, including the Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NEXIM Bank, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).
He said the committee serves as Nigeria’s “War Room” for aligning domestic policies with AfCFTA objectives and ensuring effective implementation.
Expanding Nigeria’s Export Capacity
According to Prof. Ladan, Nigeria is actively mapping export products across all states of the federation to strengthen domestic production capacity and position local businesses to competitively serve Africa’s market of more than 1.4 billion people.
He explained that this initiative is expected to improve value chains, encourage industrial production, and increase the competitiveness of Nigerian goods throughout the continent.
Driving Continental Trade Leadership
Prof. Ladan further noted that Nigeria is leveraging its chairmanship to strengthen the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative, including the development of strategic air cargo corridors such as partnerships with Uganda Airlines to reduce logistics costs and improve market access for Nigerian exporters.
He described this as a significant step toward making Nigerian products more competitive across African markets.
Rising Intra-African Trade
Highlighting recent trade performance, Prof. Ladan stated that Nigeria’s intra-African trade increased by $1.55 billion in 2025, bringing total trade with African countries to $9.02 billion.
He also pointed out that Nigeria became the first AfCFTA State Party to publish a comprehensive five-year implementation review and has officially gazetted its Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions, demonstrating its commitment to effective implementation of the Agreement.
Leading Africa’s Digital Trade Agenda
Prof. Ladan observed that Nigeria currently co-chairs the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, having ratified the Protocol and launched the country’s first comprehensive mapping of digital services.
He explained that the initiative is laying the foundation for the expansion of e-commerce, digital services, and technology exports while positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital economy.
Domestication of AfCFTA Laws
He further disclosed that Nigeria is working with the National Assembly to domesticate all ratified AfCFTA Agreements and Protocols into national legislation, ensuring that domestic laws fully reflect the country’s continental obligations and provide greater legal certainty for investors and businesses.
Simplifying Trade for MSMEs
Prof. Ladan also highlighted Nigeria’s participation as a pilot country under the AfCFTA Simplified Trade Regime (STR), an initiative designed to reduce customs documentation and simplify border procedures for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and small-scale cross-border traders.
According to him, the programme is expected to encourage greater participation of small businesses in regional trade.
Diversifying Nigeria’s Export Economy
While crude oil continues to play an important role in Nigeria’s exports, Prof. Ladan noted that the country’s trade portfolio is becoming increasingly diversified.
He identified manufactured goods, cement, urea, chemicals, and processed agricultural products as key sectors driving Nigeria’s growing participation in intra-African trade.
Leveraging Afreximbank Support
Prof. Ladan explained that Nigeria is strategically positioning itself to benefit from the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, established to cushion participating countries against temporary tariff revenue losses and support domestic industries as trade barriers are progressively removed.
He noted that access to the Fund will strengthen economic stability and improve business competitiveness.
Strengthening Trade Institutions
He concluded that Nigeria’s chairmanship presents an opportunity to deepen collaboration with continental institutions in the areas of customs harmonisation, transit-bond guarantees, digital cargo tracking, and regional trade facilitation.
According to Prof. Ladan, these reforms will not only strengthen Nigeria’s leadership within AfCFTA but also enhance the country’s capacity to drive sustainable economic growth, industrial development, and continental integration.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s leadership of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers represents more than a ceremonial position, it is a strategic responsibility that places the country at the forefront of shaping Africa’s future trade architecture while creating new opportunities for businesses, investors, manufacturers, and exporters.
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