The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to maximise Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by hosting an Advanced Workshop on Rules of Origin in Abuja.
The training session brought together trade-enabling agencies, organised private sector representatives, and other key stakeholders.
In a statement on Sunday, Project Technical Director and Senior Trade Expert at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Olutayo, disclosed that the initiative forms part of a broader plan to stimulate inclusive trade growth across the country.
Olutayo, who spoke on behalf of National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Awolowo, explained that the workshop aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises regional integration and industrial expansion.
He noted that effective AfCFTA implementation could raise Nigeria’s GDP by up to 40 percent by 2030.
“Through capacity building and technical training, we are ensuring that Nigerian businesses fully understand and comply with the AfCFTA Rules of Origin, enabling them to seize new trade opportunities across Africa,” Awolowo said.
The programme was organised in partnership with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa Programme, with the Nigeria Customs Service—led by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi—serving as facilitator.
Representing the WCO, Faith Mathenge underscored the importance of human capital development in unlocking AfCFTA’s potential.
She reaffirmed the EU-WCO programme’s commitment to supporting Nigeria with technical assistance and knowledge transfer to boost cross-border trade readiness.
Participants included delegates from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, and the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, as well as officials from the Federal Ministry of Finance and other trade-related agencies.
Attendees welcomed the workshop as a timely step towards empowering businesses with the expertise needed to navigate AfCFTA requirements, improve compliance, and expand export capacity.
The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office pledged to replicate similar capacity-building efforts nationwide, aiming to strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian enterprises, reduce import dependence, and increase their presence in African and global markets.
