The Federal Government has launched simplified trade books and multi-lingual toolkits aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and improving access to continental markets for local businesses.
The initiative was unveiled on Monday in Kano by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, during the North-West Subnational Tour and Public-Private-Press (P3) engagement on AfCFTA implementation.
The toolkits, produced in English, Hausa, and Arabic, are designed to simplify complex trade processes, including rules of origin, customs procedures, standards compliance, and market entry requirements. According to the minister, the goal is to make cross-border trade more accessible, particularly for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), while also boosting Nigeria’s non-oil exports.
She explained that the initiative is part of efforts to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks that often hinder exporters, adding that regulatory agencies would be deployed in Kano to support business registration, product certification, and issuance of certificates of origin for exporters.
The minister also disclosed plans for live export simulations and practical training sessions for businesses, alongside the introduction of the “One Local Government, One Export Product” initiative, which is aimed at encouraging grassroots production and export readiness across the country.
“We want every local government to identify at least one product they can export to Africa. We are making the process easy and immediate,” she said.
She further highlighted recent gains under AfCFTA implementation, including the establishment of an air cargo corridor that has reportedly reduced freight costs by about 75 percent on selected African routes. According to her, Nigerian products such as food items, textiles, and processed goods are increasingly gaining demand across African markets.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State described Kano as a historic commercial hub and a natural gateway for continental trade. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ibrahim, the governor noted that the state is actively positioning itself to benefit from AfCFTA through industrial development, logistics expansion, and support for small businesses.
He stressed that the agreement must translate into real economic growth for traders, processors, young entrepreneurs, ICT hubs, and industries across the state.
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