Nigeria has officially gazetted and transmitted its ECOWAS Schedule of Tariff Offers for Trade in Goods to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. The move, made ahead of the 16th AfCFTA Council of Ministers meeting in Kinshasa, marks a major milestone in Africa’s push for deeper regional economic integration.

Signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the schedule outlines a zero-duty regime on 90% of tariff lines, positioning Nigerian goods more competitively in African markets and enabling businesses to access new opportunities under AfCFTA. The framework supports seamless shipment of goods, enhances export competitiveness, and stimulates foreign and intra-African investment.

Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, stated: “This signals Nigeria’s readiness for trade under AfCFTA and underscores our commitment to economic transformation through regional trade.”

The schedule follows Nigeria’s first AfCFTA-compliant shipment in July 2024 and aligns with the AU’s directive to deepen intra-African trade. Nigeria adopts a phased tariff reduction: 10% annually for least developed countries, and 20% annually for developing nations, with some duties eliminated immediately.

This step bolsters Nigeria’s role as a regional trade hub, though officials emphasize the need to address non-tariff barriers and improve productive capacity. As AfCFTA’s Digital Trade co-Champion, Nigeria is also advancing digital trade to ensure SMEs benefit fully from Africa’s single market.