Nigeria has secured a fresh US$1 billion financing opportunity for businesses under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Adjustment Fund Credit Facility, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to boost export-led growth and expand the country’s participation in continental trade.
The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2nd Quarter 2026 meeting of the A I’mfCFTA Central Coordination Committee (CCC), where she said the facility would help Nigerian firms scale production, improve competitiveness and access wider African markets.
She explained that although Nigeria has made notable progress in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area framework, many exporters still struggle with documentation, certification, standards compliance and market entry requirements challenges the government is now working to address through trade facilitation reforms and stronger inter-agency coordination.
According to her, key interventions include simplified AfCFTA guidance tools, expanded stakeholder engagement programmes, and closer collaboration with agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to ease cross-border trade processes.
Dr. Oduwole also highlighted ongoing efforts to domesticate critical AfCFTA protocols, particularly in digital trade, noting that this would position Nigeria to compete more effectively in Africa’s fast-growing digital economy. She added that initiatives such as the expansion of the Air Cargo Corridor to Rwanda and increased sub-national sensitisation campaigns are already deepening awareness of AfCFTA opportunities.
Providing an update at the meeting, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Patience Okala, said recent sensitisation programmes in Kano attracted more than 470 businesses, including a significant number of women-led enterprises.
Okala further explained that the newly introduced AfCFTA ABC Series is helping businesses better understand export procedures, while confirming that the US$1 billion Adjustment Fund Credit Facility is targeted at large African firms with a minimum financing capacity of US$10 million. The fund, she said, will support expansion, industrialisation, working capital needs and regional value chain development.
She also noted that a pilot group of Nigerian companies is being assembled in collaboration with fund managers to ensure effective access to the financing window.
At the meeting, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council reiterated that registration with the agency remains mandatory for all exporters. A representative of the Council, Mr. Njoku, said the process has now been fully digitised, allowing businesses to register online and obtain a two-year Exporter’s Certificate required to access incentives such as the Export Expansion Grant and Export Development Fund.
In a vote of thanks delivered on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, Director of Special Duties, Dr. Simon Om-Ezomo, commended stakeholders, development partners and private sector actors for their collaboration.
He urged sustained coordination among agencies and stakeholders to ensure Nigeria maximises the benefits of AfCFTA, especially in expanding exports, attracting investment and strengthening industrial growth.
The meeting ended with renewed commitments to deepen Nigeria’s participation in regional value chains, improve access for women and youth entrepreneurs, and enhance preparations for upcoming continental engagements scheduled for June and July 2026.
