FG pushes for freer movements to boost trade in Africa

The Federal Government says it is intensifying efforts to promote freer movement across Africa to boost trade, investment and African Continental Free Trade Area implementation.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said this on Friday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

Oduwole spoke on outcome of the Biashara Afrika 2026 Forum held recently in Togo.

The minister said trade could not thrive where entrepreneurs and investors faced movement restrictions, adding that easier movement of people, goods and investments remained crucial to unlocking opportunities under the AfCFTA.

She told NAN that the government was committed to ensuring barriers hindering trade and business mobility across African markets were removed.

According to her, mobility remains critical to the success of the AfCFTA, adding that Nigeria joined other African countries in reaffirming commitment to free movement of people, services and investments.

The minister said that visa policies remained the responsibility of individual countries, but noted the growing support for business-friendly travel across Africa.

She commended Togolese leadership for committing to remove visa requirements for African travellers and described the move as aligning with AfCFTA’s vision of deepening regional integration and expanding intra-African trade.

She also praised Rwanda’s progressive visa policy, adding that it had strengthened business travel, tourism and regional investment.

Oduwole said that Nigeria continued engaging through the AfCFTA Secretariat, African Union and bilateral channels for simplified visa procedures.

She said discussions focused on visa-on-arrival arrangements and mutual recognition of business travel documentation.

According to her, several African countries have already introduced reforms easing market access for Nigerian business travelers.

Oduwole said Nigeria was also addressing trade barriers through the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol and improved customs cooperation.

She said that digital trade facilitation, transport connectivity and better logistics would reduce business costs across African borders.

The minister said Nigeria could not determine timelines for other countries but expected continued progress as AfCFTA implementation advanced.

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She said freer movement would create opportunities for trade, investment, jobs and economic growth across Africa.

On economic impact, Oduwole said easier travel would help businesses access markets, attract investment and expand exports.

She said that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), women-led businesses and non-oil exporters would benefit significantly from improved regional market access.

She noted that Nigeria had inaugurated the Nigeria-Uganda Air Cargo Corridor with Uganda Airlines to improve exports to East Africa.

She said the initiative reduced cargo costs and improved access for exporters, particularly SMEs and women-owned businesses.

Oduwole further said that Nigeria was expanding similar trade facilitation partnerships with RwandAir to improve regional connectivity.

She said the partnerships demonstrated practical efforts to lower logistics costs beyond policy discussions.

On intra-African trade barriers, the minister identified non-tariff barriers, fragmented regulations and high logistics costs as major challenges.

She also listed cross-border payment difficulties, business mobility restrictions and regulatory uncertainty for digital firms as challenges that need to be addressed.

The minister said Nigeria had gazetted its Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions (PSTCs) to accelerate AfCFTA implementation.

She said that the government also established dedicated air cargo corridors thereby reducing freight costs by between 50 and 75 per cent.

Oduwole said Nigeria was implementing the National Single Window to simplify domestic trade processing, adding that government had mapped over 200 digital service firms across 17 sectors to strengthen regional digital trade.

She said Nigeria remained focused on reducing trade costs, improving market access and ensuring businesses benefited fully from the AfCFTA preferences.

(NAN)