Nigeria's Trade Minister Calls for AfCFTA Outcomes by 2026

On Wednesday, Nigeria's Trade Minister, Jumok Oduwol, declared that 2026 will be a decisive year for delivering measurable outcomes from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative. This move aims to consolidate Nigeria's leadership on the continent ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Oduwol, representing Special Adviser Patience Okala, described the upcoming meeting as pivotal for Nigeria's performance in AfCFTA, which significantly shapes its bargaining strength at the WTO. The AfCFTA implementation will focus on coordinating measures, simplifying processes, and enhancing institutional accountability.

Oduwol highlighted the importance of a national action plan that includes five pillars for effective governance and monitoring. She also mentioned the need for public-private partnerships to ensure compliance with export standards and logistics capabilities.

The Nigerian government is intensifying technical consultations to align its strategies with the AfCFTA and the WTO's broader objectives.