Nigeria has achieved a significant milestone in intra-African trade with the arrival of its first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at Mombasa Port, Kenya. The shipment, coordinated by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office led by Olusegun Awolowo, marks an important step in the country’s growing role in fostering economic integration across the continent.
The consignment consisted of synthetic filaments produced by Lucky Fibres Limited (Lush), a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, and was exported under AfCFTA preferential trade terms. This historic trade initiative aligns with the African Union’s mandate to enhance trade among member nations and drive economic growth.
Senior Trade Expert Olusegun Olutayo lauded the achievement as a triumph for Africa, emphasizing the potential of AfCFTA to counter global economic fragmentation. “In times of escalating geopolitical tension and looming geoeconomic fragmentation, AfCFTA presents a perfect opportunity for Africa to leverage trade as a strategic instrument for enhanced market access among state parties. This is a historic moment, a realisation of the vision of our continent’s founding fathers and mothers,” he stated.
Olutayo attributed the success to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, which have bolstered Nigeria’s participation in AfCFTA and advanced the continent’s goals of industrialisation and integration. “These reforms have been instrumental in positioning Nigeria as a key player in the trade pact,” he added.
He also praised the cooperation of Kenyan authorities, noting that their seamless collaboration exemplifies the true spirit of the AfCFTA agreement. The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office extended gratitude to the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Kenya AfCFTA Implementation Committee, and the Kenya Revenue Authority for their roles in facilitating the initiative.
This inaugural shipment symbolizes a new era of trade-driven prosperity for Africa, highlighting the transformative potential of AfCFTA to reshape the continent’s economic landscape. Olutayo described the collaboration between Nigeria and Kenya as a testament to the shared vision of a united and prosperous Africa.
As Nigeria and other African nations continue to leverage AfCFTA, the framework is expected to drive industrialization, create jobs, and enhance market access, further solidifying Africa’s position in the global economy.
