The Federal Government has emphasized that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has moved past the negotiation phase and is now in a critical implementation stage. Nigerian entrepreneurs and digital businesses are being called upon to spearhead cross-border trade throughout the continent.
Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, made this appeal during the Biashara Africa 2026 forum. She challenged African leaders, policymakers, and businesses to actively dismantle existing barriers that impede intra-African trade and investment.
The minister stated that after years of negotiating agreements and signing protocols, Africa must now concentrate on practical implementation to generate economic opportunities for businesses and citizens. As the incoming Chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers, Oduwole noted that recent policy actions across Africa indicate a growing alignment between political commitments and concrete reforms aimed at accelerating regional integration.
“Africa has negotiated, signed, and agreed. Now, Africa must trade,” Oduwole declared, underscoring a clear message from the Biashara Africa 2026 discussions. She highlighted Togo's announcement to remove visa requirements for African passport holders and investors traveling into the country for short stays as an important signal of Africa moving from aspiration to action.
Oduwole commended the Togolese government for this decision, describing it as a significant breakthrough for mobility, trade, and investment across Africa. This move reinforces the continent's commitment to becoming a truly integrated market of over 1.4 billion people.
The minister stressed that easing cross-border movement is crucial for reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks that currently discourage trade, investment, and business partnerships among African nations. She cautioned that the success of the AfCFTA hinges not only on government policies but also on the capacity of African businesses, innovators, manufacturers, and startups to expand beyond their domestic markets and establish continental value chains.
To further support the AfCFTA's implementation, Oduwole announced the launch of the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration Programme 2026. This initiative, a partnership between the AfCFTA and the Korea Africa Foundation, is designed to assist 30 high-potential African startups in scaling beyond the continent and accessing global markets, with a particular focus on South Korea.
The programme aims to help African startups strengthen their business models, enhance competitiveness, and position themselves for international expansion. Nigerian startups operating in sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, logistics, agritech, manufacturing, and digital platforms are expected to benefit significantly.
“As Co-Champion of Digital Trade under the AfCFTA, we encourage eligible Nigerian startups to apply and take advantage of this opportunity,” Oduwole added. The application deadline for this programme is May 24, 2026.
The AfCFTA, which commenced trading in January 2021, is recognized as one of the world's largest free trade areas, uniting 54 African countries to boost intra-African trade, industrialization, and economic growth. Experts have consistently pointed out that despite Africa's vast population and economic potential, intra-African trade remains low due to infrastructure deficits, visa restrictions, poor logistics, and regulatory hurdles.
Nigeria, as Africa's largest economy, is anticipated to play a pivotal role in the AfCFTA's implementation, owing to its substantial consumer market, expanding digital economy, manufacturing base, and burgeoning startup ecosystem. Enhanced cross-border mobility, coupled with digital trade reforms and startup support, could unlock new export opportunities for Nigerian businesses and reduce reliance on markets outside the continent.
