FG Trains 3 Million Nigerian Exporters on AfCFTA Rules to Boost Trade

In a major push to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Federal Government has launched a nationwide training program targeting three million exporters. The initiative aims to equip Nigerian businesses with the skills and knowledge needed to comply with the trade rules outlined under the AfCFTA agreement.

The training, being carried out by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO), is part of broader efforts to maximize Nigeria’s gains from the continent-wide trade pact.

Announcing the program during a recent workshop in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Awolowo, stressed the importance of understanding the AfCFTA’s Rules of Origin. He noted that these rules determine the eligibility of goods for preferential tariff treatment across African markets.

Speaking at the event, Awolowo emphasized that the training supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes trade expansion, job creation, and inclusive economic growth. He urged Nigerian exporters, especially those in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector, to fully embrace the opportunity.

“The Rules of Origin are a core pillar of the AfCFTA. Understanding them is essential for Nigerian businesses to benefit from duty-free access to other African markets,” Awolowo explained.

The Nigeria Customs Service is playing a key role in facilitating the training sessions. According to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller-General Caroline Niagwan, the Service has enhanced its ICT infrastructure and created a dedicated export command to improve trade facilitation and streamline export processes under AfCFTA.

Niagwan reiterated that Nigeria is well-positioned to benefit from the agreement and is committed to supporting businesses ready to compete on the continental stage.

Faith Mathenge, the WCO’s representative at the event, highlighted the role of the EU-WCO Origin for Africa Programme in supporting the initiative. Funded by the European Union and launched in July 2022, the programme aims to build capacity across customs agencies, government bodies, regional blocs, and the private sector, with a strong focus on the implementation of Rules of Origin under the AfCFTA.

“Our goal is to strengthen cross-sectoral understanding of the Rules of Origin, so that Nigerian exporters can unlock new levels of intra-African and international trade,” Mathenge said.

The training is expected to open up new opportunities for Nigerian businesses by simplifying compliance with AfCFTA regulations. It will also help entrepreneurs expand their operations across Africa, enhance export volumes, and drive economic growth.

Experts say the AfCFTA holds enormous potential to transform Africa’s economy by creating a single, unified market for goods and services. With Nigeria training millions of exporters, the country is positioning itself as a key player in the new continental trade landscape.

By investing in trade education and rule compliance, the Nigerian government is not only preparing businesses to compete globally but also laying the groundwork for long-term economic transformation driven by exports and regional integration.