The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (MITI), is partnering with the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) and the Africa Trade and Distribution Company (ATDC) to establish Nigeria’s first National Export Trading Company (NETC).
The initiative, now in advanced discussions, aims to reshape Nigeria’s export landscape by addressing critical gaps in logistics, financing, and market access for local producers.
The NETC will operate under ATDC, a pan-African trade enabler established by Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), and Equitane, in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat.
ATDC was designed to streamline intra-African trade by providing market intelligence, aggregation services, and financial solutions to smallholder farmers, MSMEs, and larger corporations.
Announced during the West African Economic Summit Deal Room in Abuja, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s push for trade-led economic growth.
The NETC will merge NCX’s commodity market expertise with ATDC’s logistics and trade execution capabilities, creating a structured platform to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance quality control, and connect Nigerian producers with regional and global buyers.
Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, emphasized the transformative potential of the NETC, stating: “This is about changing the everyday reality for Nigerian producers—turning losses into livelihoods and equipping them to compete globally. We are building a system that works for people, markets, and the future.”
Abdoul Aziz Ba, CEO of ATDC, described the venture as more than just a trading firm: “ATDC Nigeria will be a trade ecosystem enabler, strengthening institutions like the NCX and actualizing Nigeria’s industrial and food security goals.”
The announcement follows Nigeria’s recent milestones in AfCFTA implementation, including the gazetting of tariff concessions and its designation as Africa’s Digital Trade Champion. The ministry also highlighted progress under the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), which has placed over 2,000 Nigerians in high-value remote jobs, and the launch of a new air cargo corridor linking Nigeria to 13 Eastern and Southern African nations.
“In each of these achievements, we’ve represented not just Nigeria but West Africa’s commitment to shared prosperity,” Uzoka-Anite remarked, underscoring the administration’s focus on trade as a driver of inclusive economic growth.
The NETC is expected to play a pivotal role in formalizing Nigeria’s export sector, particularly for agriculture and SMEs, while positioning the country as a key player in intra-African trade under AfCFTA.
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