The Federal Government has officially gazetted and transmitted the ECOWAS Schedule of Tariff Offers on Trade in Goods to the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, marking a critical step in Nigeria’s deepening commitment to intra-African commerce.
This development, disclosed in Abuja on Tuesday by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, comes just ahead of the 16th AfCFTA Council of Ministers meeting on trade, being held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Oduwole described the action as a “significant milestone in regional trade integration,” underscoring the country’s intent to enhance its standing across African markets.
According to the minister, the approved tariff framework sets zero duties on 90% of tariff lines for goods traded across the continent, opening vast market opportunities and boosting Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
“Nigerian goods are now competitively positioned in the African market, ensuring greater business access and profitability,” she said.
She further revealed that President Bola Tinubu signed the ECOWAS Schedule of Tariff Offers, which she said “reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to regional trade expansion.”
“This step under the AfCFTA framework strengthens Nigeria’s role in shaping the future of intra-African trade and boosting export competitiveness.
“Furthermore, it enables the seamless shipment of goods to and from Nigeria, unlocking new opportunities for businesses, manufacturers, and exporters,” she noted.
“Implications of Nigeria’s ECOWAS Tariff offer—the gazetting of the schedule of tariff concessions—is expected to yield significant benefits,” Oduwole added.
Among the anticipated benefits are job creation and economic growth, driven by reduced trade barriers. She said the measure would also “strengthen regional integration and trade relations through enhanced economic ties.”
Oduwole emphasized the positive impact on local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), saying the policy will lower operating costs and open doors to new markets.
“Furthermore, Nigeria’s commitment to AfCFTA implementation makes it an attractive destination for foreign and intra-African investment, reinforcing its role as a trade hub in West Africa,” she stated.
Despite the progress, she noted the need for African Trade Ministers to intensify collaboration to overcome non-tariff obstacles that could impede market access.
“Additionally, improving productive capacity and ensuring compliance with international standards remain imperative to maximise the benefits of the AfCFTA,” she said.
“Nigeria is open for business. The gazetting and transmission of the ECOWAS schedule of tariffs to the AfCFTA Secretariat signals Nigeria’s readiness for trade under the agreement,” Oduwole declared.
She highlighted that the move would allow Nigerian exporters to tap into preferential tariff regimes, strengthening the country’s position in continental and global trade dynamics.
She added, “The development would as well underscores Nigeria’s dedication to leveraging Africa’s single market for economic transformation.”
“After initiating its first shipment under AfCFTA in July 2024, Nigeria has solidified its leadership in regional trade and integration with the formal gazetting of the schedule of tariffs for trade in goods.
“This is to ensure that Nigerian goods can access other markets competitively and profitably,” Oduwole said.
She explained that the reciprocal arrangement stems from the African Union’s directive from the 35th Ordinary Session held in February 2022.
“As a result, other AfCFTA State Parties can now accept consignments from Nigeria under the Agreement,” she added.
Under Nigeria’s preferred classification, the tariff reduction strategy will be rolled out over a decade starting in 2021.
“By 2025, the fifth year of AfCFTA implementation, a 50 per cent tariff reduction on NGN, implemented at a rate of 10 per cent per year, should immediately affect goods in trade with least developed countries in Africa.
“For trade with developing countries on the continent, Nigeria retains the flexibility of complete tariff elimination (0 per cent) effectively immediately under AfCFTA, applying a 20 per cent reduction annually,” she clarified.
The gazette follows Nigeria’s recent digital trade push, which was endorsed during the AfCFTA meeting in Addis Ababa this February.
“The President, however, received a commendation for his work on digital trade, further reinforcing the country’s commitment to regional and continental trade integration,” Oduwole noted.
She concluded, “As a digital trade co-champion, Nigeria is advancing seamless trade facilitation and cross-border commerce, ensuring businesses especially SMEs can fully benefit from AfCFTA’s framework.”
