The Federal Government has announced a major push to deepen Nigeria’s role in the African Continental Free Trade Area in 2026, placing local production at the centre of its strategy to grow non-oil exports and strengthen the country’s competitiveness across Africa.
Nigeria AfCFTA exports plan for 2026
Speaking on the ministry’s AfCFTA achievements report for 2025, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the 2026 agenda will build on last year’s implementation milestones. The ministry will work with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and state governments to identify at least one product each of the country’s 774 local government areas can export to AfCFTA markets.
The initiative will be operationalised through the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee and will involve development partners across the public and private sectors. Officials said the approach is designed to mobilise production nationwide, raise awareness among businesses and ensure those products meet the rules and regulatory requirements for intra-African trade.
Beyond product selection, the strategy places strong emphasis on creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment to support full implementation of the AfCFTA agreement and its protocols. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will lead regulatory alignment efforts with other public sector agencies to improve trade facilitation and accountability.
Officials also signalled plans to upgrade trade data systems so the government can effectively track AfCFTA trade flows. The upgrade will collect disaggregated data on goods, services and participation by women and youth. Better data will help identify high-potential sectors and measure the impact of policy interventions.
To improve business readiness, the ministry intends to publish targeted guidance that clarifies AfCFTA rules and compliance requirements. This will be accompanied by nationwide awareness and sensitisation campaigns, training for exporters and measures to strengthen institutional coordination.
Investment mobilisation forms a central strand of the plan. The report states that efforts with foreign and domestic investors will prioritise expanding productive capacity in key sectors so Nigeria can position itself as a hub for innovation, production and distribution within the AfCFTA market. The government is also considering hosting continental trade events ahead of the Intra-African Trade Fair in 2027 to showcase Nigerian products and attract buyers.
Analysts say the focus on localised export identification could unlock new value chains in agriculture, light manufacturing and creative industries, provided the government follows through on regulatory alignment, logistics upgrades and access to finance. Success will depend on close coordination between federal and state authorities and on private sector uptake.
By linking local government production to continental demand, the Federal Government aims to diversify export earnings away from oil and deepen Nigeria’s integration into Africa’s single market. If implemented at scale, the plan could boost jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings and strengthen Nigeria’s negotiating position within AfCFTA.
Key Takeaways:
- Federal Government to work with governors to identify at least one exportable product in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
- Plans focus on scaling production, upgrading trade data systems and supporting women and youth participation in AfCFTA markets.
- Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will lead regulatory alignment and mobilise investment to expand industrial capacity.
