$3.4TRN AFRICAN MARKET BECKONS: FG TAKES AfCFTA DRIVE TO KANO, TARGETS MSME EXPORT BOOM

..... "As the Federal Government reiterated its resolve to ensure AfCFTA translates into inclusive economic growth, positioning Nigerian enterprises to take full advantage of Africa’s evolving trade landscape."

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to position Nigerian businesses at the centre of Africa’s expanding trade ecosystem, taking the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) campaign directly to sub-national levels with a high-impact engagement in Kano State.

Led by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, the Sub-national AfCFTA Public-Private-Press (P3) Engagement Tour held from April 27–28, 2026, brought together key stakeholders from government, business, and the media to unlock opportunities within the continental trade pact.

The initiative is part of a broader grassroots strategy to deepen awareness and participation in AfCFTA, widely seen as a gateway to a $3.4 trillion market spanning over 1.4 billion people across Africa.

Delivering the keynote address, Oduwole stressed the urgency of collaboration in converting AfCFTA from policy into measurable economic gains. She described Kano as a historic commercial hub and a strategic gateway for regional trade, while highlighting Nigeria’s progress on key milestones such as tariff implementation, ratification of the digital trade protocol, and the launch of air cargo corridors from Abuja and Lagos.

“AfCFTA is not just an agreement; it is a practical pathway to scale Nigerian businesses across Africa, and we are bringing these opportunities directly to the people,” she stated.

Representing the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, reaffirmed the state’s readiness to capitalise on emerging opportunities. He cited ongoing investments in infrastructure and industrialisation, alongside plans to train 50,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly women and youth.

“Kano stands ready to lead Nigeria’s export expansion by empowering our businesses and removing barriers to trade,” he said.

In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chris Osa Isokpunwu, described the engagement as a turning point from policy dialogue to practical implementation.

“Our success will be measured not by plans, but by increased trade volumes and real economic outcomes,” he noted.

Also speaking, the Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, Danjuma Mohammed, emphasised the need to strengthen capacity around export standards, particularly in the agricultural sector.

“This initiative is critical in preparing our producers to meet continental standards and fully benefit from AfCFTA,” he said.

Stakeholders at the forum highlighted Kano’s comparative advantage in agro-processing, textiles, leather, and digital trade, while pointing to Nigeria’s improving non-oil export performance as evidence of growing readiness for deeper continental integration.

The National Coordinator of Nigeria’s AfCFTA Coordination Office, Patience Okala, underscored a renewed focus on practical outcomes, unveiling simplified tools to guide businesses through export procedures.

“The focus now is clear—turning policy into measurable impact at the grassroots,” she said.

Similarly, the Director-General of the Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiations, Sanusi Garba Rikiji, called for decisive implementation, noting, “The true test of AfCFTA lies in the tangible trade outcomes we deliver.”

Development finance institutions, including African Export-Import Bank, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Nigerian businesses through trade finance, industrialisation, and infrastructure development to enable expansion across African markets.

The Kano engagement featured technical sessions, export simulations, and regulatory clinics aimed at simplifying export processes and strengthening competitiveness. It also forms part of a nationwide rollout of initiatives such as the “One Local Government, One Export Product” programme, designed to boost participation among MSMEs and informal traders.

The Federal Government reiterated its resolve to ensure AfCFTA translates into inclusive economic growth, positioning Nigerian enterprises to take full advantage of Africa’s evolving trade landscape.