By: Abba Onyekachukwu, Abuja.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, led a high-impact Sub-national AfCFTA Public-Private-Press Engagement Tour in Kano State from April 27 to 28, 2026, as the Federal Government intensified efforts to position Nigerian businesses at the forefront of continental trade.

The engagement brought together key stakeholders across government and the private sector to unlock opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, widely regarded as a gateway to a $3.4 trillion market of over 1.4 billion people. The tour is part of the Federal Government’s grassroots strategy to drive AfCFTA implementation.

Delivering the keynote, Dr. Oduwole stressed the urgency of collaboration in translating AfCFTA into real economic gains. She described Kano as a historic commercial powerhouse and a natural gateway for regional trade. “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.

The minister highlighted Nigeria’s progress, including tariff implementation, ratification of the digital trade protocol, and the launch of air cargo corridors from Abuja and Lagos. She said these steps have significantly cut freight costs and boosted access to African markets.

Representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruq Ibrahim, reaffirmed Kano’s readiness to lead Nigeria’s export expansion. He cited ongoing investments in infrastructure and industrial expansion, and announced plans to train 50,000 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.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, described the engagement as a decisive shift from policy conversations to practical implementation. He said the focus is on equipping businesses with the tools and regulatory support needed to compete. “Our success will be measured not by plans, but by increased trade volumes and real economic outcomes,” he noted.

Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mohammed, emphasized the need to build capacity around export requirements and standards, especially in agriculture. He said the initiative is critical in preparing producers to meet continental standards and fully benefit from AfCFTA.

The National Coordinator of Nigeria’s AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs. Patience Okala, said the focus has shifted toward practical results. She unveiled simplified tools to guide businesses through export processes. “The focus now is clear—turning policy into measurable impact at the grassroots,” she said.

Director-General of the Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiations, Rt. Hon. Sanusi Garba Rikiji, called for decisive action on implementation. “The true test of AfCFTA lies in the tangible trade outcomes we deliver,” he noted. Development finance partners, including Afreximbank, reaffirmed commitment to support Nigerian businesses through trade finance, industrialization, and infrastructure development.

The Kano engagement featured technical sessions, export simulations, and regulatory clinics. It is part of a nationwide drive to simplify export processes, strengthen competitiveness, and deepen participation among MSMEs and informal traders. The drive includes initiatives such as the “One Local Government, One Export Product” programme. Stakeholders highlighted Kano’s strategic potential in agro-processing, textiles, leather, and digital trade, pointing to Nigeria’s growing non-oil export performance as a sign of readiness for deeper continental integration.

This is contained in a press statement signed by Obilor-Duru Augustina Okechi, Head of Press and PR at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. The Federal Government reiterated its resolve to ensure AfCFTA delivers real, inclusive economic growth, positioning Nigerian businesses at the center of Africa’s evolving trade landscape.