FG trains three million exporters in AfCFTA rules

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the training of three million Nigerian exporters on the understanding and application of the Rules of Origin under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

This landmark initiative is part of Nigeria’s strategic preparation to maximise the benefits of the AfCFTA and is being driven by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, in partnership with the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

Equipping Exporters for AfCFTA Opportunities

The training programme was announced recently in Abuja by Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, the National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, during the AfCFTA Rules of Origin Workshop targeted at Nigeria’s Organised Private Sector, SMEs, and key stakeholders.

According to Awolowo, the programme aligns closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on human capital development, trade expansion, and inclusive economic growth under AfCFTA.

“The Rules of Origin are among the most critical instruments and a major pillar for qualifying goods for preferential access across the continent,” Awolowo emphasized.
“We need business owners to fully understand and apply these rules to participate effectively in the new continental trade regime.”

The training is being facilitated by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and is designed to provide practical knowledge and skills that will enable Nigerian exporters to fully leverage the preferential trade opportunities offered by AfCFTA.

Nigeria Customs Service Boosts Export Readiness

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the workshop, the Deputy Comptroller-General for Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, stated that Nigeria is fully prepared to derive maximum benefits from AfCFTA.

Niagwan noted that the Nigeria Customs Service has made significant improvements in its ICT infrastructure and has also established a dedicated export command to facilitate smoother processing of export goods in line with AfCFTA provisions.

WCO Reaffirms Global Support Through EU Programme

Also speaking at the event, Faith Mathenge, the WCO Representative, highlighted the EU-WCO Origin for Africa Programme, launched in July 2022, as a key support framework for the implementation of Rules of Origin.

The programme, which is funded by the European Union, aims to assist Customs administrations, government agencies, regional economic communities, and the private sector in effectively implementing and applying AfCFTA’s Rules of Origin.

“The programme, in collaboration with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, has a clear goal of building cross-sectoral capacity in Rules of Origin,” Mathenge said.
“This will propel Nigeria into the next level of trade—including intra-African trade, trade with Europe, and trade with the rest of the world.”

A Step Toward Economic Expansion and Regional Integration

The training of three million Nigerian exporters is expected to boost trade capacity, enhance cross-border competitiveness, and unlock new market opportunities for Nigerian businesses across Africa.

With improved understanding of the Rules of Origin, local entrepreneurs and exporters will be better positioned to take advantage of AfCFTA’s framework, expand their business footprints across the continent, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

“This is a significant step toward harnessing the benefits of the AfCFTA agreement,” the statement concluded,
“and a vital move to promote regional integration, private sector growth, and national development.”

About AfCFTA

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the largest free trade areas in the world, uniting 54 African countries into a single market of over 1.3 billion people. Its implementation is expected to significantly increase intra-African trade, reduce trade barriers, and accelerate industrial development across the continent.