Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office - AfCFTA Blog #ForumNigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office - AfCFTA Blog #Forumhttps://ngrafcfta.gov.ng/blog/tag/forumWed, 25 Mar 2026 14:42:42 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Nigeria’s first AfCFTA Export arrives in Kenya]]>https://ngrafcfta.gov.ng/blog/post/Nigeria-s-first-AfCFTA-export-arrives-in-KenyaNigeria’s first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area has arrived at Mombasa Port, Kenya. The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, led ]]>

Nigeria’s first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area has arrived at Mombasa Port, Kenya.

The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, led by Olusegun Awolowo, coordinated the shipment per the African Union’s 31st Ordinary Assembly decision mandate and said in a statement on Sunday that the country’s shipment to Kenya underscores its growing role in fostering intra-African trade and economic integration.

The shipment, which consisted of synthetic filaments produced by Lucky Fibres Limited (Lush), a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, was exported under AfCFTA preferential trade terms. The shipment marks a significant step towards realising the vision of AfCFTA, a framework established to boost trade among African nations.

Senior Trade Expert at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Olutayo, described the development as a triumph for the continent.

Olutayo said, “In times of escalating geopolitical tension and looming geoeconomic fragmentation, AfCFTA presents a perfect opportunity for Africa to leverage trade as a strategic instrument for enhanced market access among state parties. This is a historic moment, a realisation of the vision of our continent’s founding fathers and mothers.”

He praised the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, noting that they have strengthened the country’s participation in AfCFTA and advanced continental goals of industrialisation and economic integration. “These reforms have been instrumental in positioning Nigeria as a key player in the trade pact,” he added.

Olutayo also commended the Kenyan authorities for their seamless cooperation, which, according to him, exemplifies the true spirit of the AfCFTA agreement. He described the first consignment as signifying a new era of trade-driven prosperity for Africa, highlighting its potential to transform the continent’s economic landscape. 

The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office also acknowledged the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Kenya AfCFTA Implementation Committee, and the Kenya Revenue Authority, hailing their roles in ensuring the initiative’s success.
]]>Mon, 20 Jan 2025 11:57:00 +0000<![CDATA[Nigeria Recommits to Regional Trade as AfCFTA Forum Holds in Rwanda]]>https://ngrafcfta.gov.ng/blog/post/nigeria-recommits-to-regional-trade-as-afcfta-forum-holds-in-rwanda The Nigerian Government as a State Party has reassured its commitment to deepening regional trade through th ]]>
Picture: Olusegun Olutayo (Left), Senior Trade Expert/Lead, Trade Enablement, presenting a souvenir bag from the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office to H.E. Wamkele Mene (Right), AfCFTA Secretary-General on the sidelines of Biashara Afrika 2024 on 11th October, 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda
The Nigerian Government as a State Party has reassured its commitment to deepening regional trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which promises to improve continental integration, create jobs, and increase export earnings.
The National Coordinator, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Awolowo, gave the country’s reassurance at the ongoing second edition of the AfCFTA Business Forum, branded Biashara Afrika 2024, holding in Kigali, Rwanda.

Awolowo said Nigeria’s recent inaugural flag off of shipment from Apapa ports in Lagos to selected African countries under the AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), demonstrates the country’s commitment to forging a viable intra-Africa trade agreement.

Speaking on the sidelines of the trade summit, the representative of the National Coordinator, Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Expert/Lead, Trade Enablement, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, stated that Nigeria has stepped up to take pride in trade as one of the continent’s largest economy with the most active market population.

The three-day summit, which began on Wednesday 9th October, 2024, featured a keynote address by Rwanda President Paul Kagame, who expressed confidence in the AfCFTA as a trade game changer for the African continent.

Biashara Afrika 2024, themed ”Dare to Invent the Future of the AfCFTA,” sought to boost African trade and economic progress by providing an engaging and vibrant platform for continued dialogue between African governments and private sector players, multinationals, and key stakeholders.

Addressing the delegates and businesses, AfCFTA Secretary-General, HE Wamkele Mene praised state parties for their renewed commitment to deepening intra-Africa trade, saying that the increase in the number of countries actively trading under the GTI /AfCFTA regime is a significant achievement.

Mene pointed out: “The Guided Trade Initiative, which facilitates the flow of goods among African states, has expanded participation from seven to 39 countries. This raises signals growing commitment across the continent, with an increasing number of small-scale traders, including women, benefiting from new market opportunities ,” he said.
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