The Federal Government of Nigeria unveiled a set of multilingual guidebooks and toolkits on Monday aimed at simplifying participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The launch, part of the North‑West Sub‑National Tour and a public‑private‑press (P3) forum on AfCFTA implementation, was led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, in Kano.
The newly released resources are available in English, Arabic and Hausa and are intended to make AfCFTA’s procedural requirements more accessible to Nigerian firms, especially small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs). According to the minister, the toolkits break down complex trade rules—such as rules of origin, customs clearance, standards compliance and market‑entry conditions—into straightforward steps, thereby reducing the administrative burden on exporters.
During the event, Oduwole announced that key regulatory agencies would operate from a temporary office in Kano to provide on‑site services, including business registration, product certification and the issuance of certificates of origin. She also outlined plans for live export simulations and practical training sessions for businesses, as well as the “One Local Government, One Export Product” initiative, which seeks to identify a tradable product in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
“The objective is to make trade practical and accessible by eliminating cumbersome procedures,” Oduwole said. “We want every local government to identify at least one product they can export to Africa. We are making the process easy and immediate.”
The launch comes amid growing Nigerian involvement in AfCFTA. Recent developments include the inauguration of an air‑cargo corridor that has lowered freight costs by roughly 75 percent on selected African routes, boosting the competitiveness of Nigerian foodstuffs, textiles and processed goods in continental markets.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir‑Yusuf, who attended the ceremony, described the state as a historic commercial hub and a natural gateway for intra‑African trade. Represented by Secretary to the State Government Umar Ibrahim, the governor’s office highlighted ongoing efforts to leverage AfCFTA opportunities through industrialisation, logistics expansion and SME development. “AfCFTA must work for the growth of traders, processors, youths, ICT hubs and industries,” Ibrahim affirmed.
The multilingual toolkits are expected to be distributed to trade associations, chambers of commerce and relevant government bodies nationwide. By standardising information and providing direct support services, the Federal Government aims to accelerate Nigeria’s non‑oil export capacity and enhance its overall contribution to the continent’s integrated market.
