The Federal Government has launched simplified books and trade toolkits in English, Hausa, and Arabic to streamline business processes and enhance participation of Nigerian traders and investors under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Minister Unveils Initiative in Kano
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, unveiled the initiative on Monday in Kano during the North-West Subnational Tour and Public-Private-Press engagement on AfCFTA implementation. She stated that the materials are designed to simplify trade rules, including rules of origin, customs procedures, standards compliance, and market entry requirements, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and informal traders.
Alignment with Renewed Hope Agenda
According to her, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to ensure prosperity reaches citizens at all levels. “We are here to make trade practical, simple and actionable. Many businesses still struggle with export procedures, and this engagement is to close that gap,” she said.
On-the-Spot Services and Training
Oduwole announced that regulatory agencies would remain in Kano for days to provide on-the-spot services, including business registration, product certification, and issuance of certificates of origin for exporters. She also revealed plans for live export simulations and hands-on training sessions for businesses, adding that the Federal Government had introduced the “One Local Government, One Export Product” initiative to promote grassroots production. “We want every local government to identify at least one product they can export to Africa. We are making the process easy and immediate,” she added.
Major Gains Under AfCFTA
The minister further disclosed that Nigeria had recorded major gains under AfCFTA implementation, including the launch of an air cargo corridor that reduced freight costs by about 75 percent across selected African routes. She noted that Nigerian products such as food items, textiles, and processed goods were already gaining strong demand across African markets.
Kano State Governor’s Remarks
In his remarks, the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir-Yusuf, described Kano as Africa’s historic commercial hub and a natural gateway for continental trade. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouk-Ibrahim, he said Kano was ready to fully key into AfCFTA opportunities through industrialisation, logistics expansion, and SME development. “AfCFTA must work for the trader in our markets, the processor in our industries and the youth in our ICT hubs,” he said.
Shift from Awareness to Implementation
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, said the engagement marked a shift from policy awareness to practical implementation of AfCFTA at the grassroots. He said the newly launched books and toolkits would help businesses better understand trade procedures and move from interest to actual exports.
Support from NASENI and NEPC
Similarly, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu, said the agency was committed to supporting local manufacturers to improve product quality and scale production for African markets. On her part, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, said Nigeria recorded $6.1 billion in non-oil exports in 2025, the highest in its history. She said AfCFTA remained a major opportunity for Nigeria to expand its export base and strengthen its position in continental trade.
Inclusive Toolkit in Multiple Languages
Also, the National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs. Patience Okala, said the new toolkit, described as the “ABCs of doing business under AfCFTA”, was produced in multiple languages to ensure inclusivity. She added that Nigeria had made progress in digital trade protocols, tariff concessions, and cross-border trade facilitation.
