Nigeria Intensifies AfCFTA Execution to Strengthen Intra-African Trade Before IATF 2025
Nigerian politicians and trade stakeholders have stepped up efforts to expedite the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as part of continuous efforts to expand economic prospects for Nigerian firms across the continent.
Speaking at the Nigeria IATF2025 Business Roadshow in Lagos, Hon. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, commerce, and Investment, remarked that intra-African commerce is already on the upswing, and Nigeria is well-positioned to profit even more.
“Intra-African exports increased by more than 13% from the previous year, boosted by new trade corridors and the initial success of AfCFTA’s guideline initiatives. Nigerian enterprises are already major players, exporting ceramics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products across the continent, she stated in her keynote presentation.
The business roadshow, held in preparation for the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), brought together key government officials, trade and investment stakeholders, and representatives from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). It was themed * “Harnessing Regional and Continental Value Chains: Accelerating Africa’s Industrialisation and Global Competitiveness through AfCFTA.” *
The Lagos event is one of five high-level roadshows taking place in major African cities, including Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg, and Algiers, in preparation for IATF2025, which will be hosted in Algiers, Algeria, from September 4 to 10, 2025. IATF2025 is projected to be a significant trade and investment venue for promoting economic integration, innovation, and collaboration across Africa.
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Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), highlighted the IATF’s particular relevance for Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“With frameworks like AfCFTA and platforms like IATF, we now have the tools to bridge the trade gap, boost intra-African trade, and tremendously grow our economies in a sustainable and inclusive way,” Ayeni told the conference. “AfCFTA aspires to be the world’s largest single market, linking 1.3 billion people from 54 African countries. We need to create structured, sustainable, and competitive value chains that can drive inclusive growth in Nigeria and around the continent.”
Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, also spoke at the session and underlined the IATF’s genuine and demonstrable impact in the short period since its formation.
