By Dalena Reporters Staff l January 2, 2026
ABUJA — As Nigeria intensifies efforts to capitalise on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2026, the Federal Government has announced a nationwide initiative to identify at least one exportable product in each of the country’s 774 local government areas (LGAs), a strategy aimed at expanding non-oil exports, boosting production and enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in continental trade.
The plan forms a central part of the Nigeria AfCFTA Agenda for 2026, building on earlier implementation milestones from 2025 and signalling a more expansive approach to harnessing opportunities under the continent-wide trade pact. Implementation will be led by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), working in coordination with the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee (CCC) and development partners across both public and private sectors.
Under the programme, FMITI — in collaboration with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and state governments — will embark on a sensitisation and awareness campaign to help local stakeholders identify products with export potential that align with AfCFTA market opportunities. The campaign will support LGAs in pinpointing products that can compete regionally, from agricultural commodities to manufactured goods and services.
Beyond local product identification, the 2026 AfCFTA agenda emphasises the creation of an enabling policy and regulatory environment to support full implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement and its associated protocols. The FMITI will lead efforts to align domestic regulations with AfCFTA commitments, while also clarifying compliance requirements for exporters and businesses through targeted publications and institutional support.
Officials have also framed this strategy within broader institutional reforms. Nigeria’s AfCFTA implementation architecture includes tools such as an AfCFTA Institutional Barometer designed to assess performance and accountability among public agencies engaged in trade facilitation, and consultations with the private sector to fine-tune national market strategy.
The government’s approach reflects a shift toward deeper economic integration across Africa, as intra-continental trade gains prominence and Nigeria’s export landscape diversifies beyond traditional oil exports. Already, trade flows under AfCFTA are reshaping export dynamics, with intra-African markets emerging as a top destination for Nigerian goods.
By identifying products with export potential at the grassroots level and strengthening the frameworks that support trade, Nigeria aims to boost non-oil exports, attract investment and position itself as a major player within the AfCFTA market, while unlocking economic opportunities for businesses and communities nationwide.