In a bold stride to secure Nigeria’s position as a trade powerhouse on the continent, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially gazetted and submitted its ECOWAS tariff offers under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), paving the way for duty-free access to 90% of African markets and boosting the competitiveness of Nigerian goods across borders.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has made a significant move toward deepening regional trade by publishing and transmitting the ECOWAS tariff schedule for trade in goods under the AfCFTA framework to the AfCFTA Secretariat. This action marks a major milestone in Africa’s economic integration and positions Nigeria as a central figure in intra-African commerce.

Announcing the development in Abuja, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, stated that the gazetting of Nigeria’s tariff offers comes ahead of the 16th AfCFTA Council of Ministers Meeting, taking place in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to Oduwole, the approved tariff schedule enforces zero duties on 90 percent of goods traded across the continent a transformative policy expected to drive down trade costs, enhance Nigeria’s export competitiveness, and unlock a wave of economic opportunities for businesses and manufacturers.

“Nigerian goods are now competitively positioned in the African market, ensuring greater business access and profitability,” she said. “President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the ECOWAS Schedule of Tariff Offers underlines our unshakable commitment to regional trade expansion.”

The minister emphasized that this strategic move supports the seamless shipment of goods in and out of Nigeria, opening new frontiers for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), increasing job creation, and attracting foreign and intra-African investment.

The tariff concession schedule, which will be implemented over a 10-year period starting from 2021, allows Nigeria a phased approach. For trade with least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa, Nigeria will reduce tariffs by 10 percent annually, reaching a 50 percent reduction by 2025. Meanwhile, for trade with developing countries, a more aggressive elimination 20 percent annually  will be adopted, eventually reaching zero duties.

This approach aligns with the African Union’s directive from the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, encouraging member states to deepen economic integration.

Nigeria’s trade ambitions under AfCFTA have already begun materializing. In July 2024, the country recorded its first shipment under the agreement. The latest tariff gazetting cements Nigeria’s readiness to fully operationalize its AfCFTA commitments.

Furthermore, Oduwole highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role in digital trade, with President Tinubu receiving commendation as a co-champion of digital trade at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum in Addis Ababa earlier this year. She said digital innovation would be pivotal in facilitating cross-border commerce, especially for Nigerian SMEs.

“As a digital trade co-champion, Nigeria is advancing seamless trade facilitation and cross-border commerce, ensuring businesses especially SMEs can fully benefit from AfCFTA’s framework,” Oduwole concluded.

With the gazetting of its tariff schedule now official, Nigeria stands poised to become a dominant force in Africa’s emerging single market driving trade, investment, and inclusive growth.