In a landmark step towards deepening economic integration across Africa, Nigeria has officially gazetted and submitted the ECOWAS Schedule of Tariff Offers for Trade in Goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This move signifies not just an administrative milestone, but a strategic recalibration of Nigeria’s role in the continent’s economic future.
The AfCFTA is one of the most ambitious free trade initiatives in the world, with the potential to connect 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product valued at $3.4 trillion. By eliminating tariffs on 90 percent of goods traded within Africa, it promises to reshape economic landscapes, remove long-standing trade barriers, and foster greater industrial and manufacturing synergy among African nations.
For Nigeria, this is more than just a trade agreement; it is an opportunity to position itself as a manufacturing and export powerhouse. With a growing population, robust entrepreneurial culture, and emerging digital economy, the country stands to gain tremendously by leveraging preferential market access to other African countries. By submitting its tariff schedule, Nigeria opens a new chapter where its goods and services can move more freely across borders, encouraging healthy competition and boosting the competitiveness of Nigerian products on a continental scale.
This development could not have come at a more critical time. With Nigeria’s economy grappling with inflation, youth unemployment, and dwindling oil revenues, the AfCFTA presents a fresh avenue for economic rejuvenation. Exporters and manufacturers who have long been stifled by limited market access now have the chance to expand operations and seek new frontiers beyond West Africa. The move also underscores the government's broader vision to diversify the economy, reduce reliance on oil exports, and build a more sustainable and inclusive economic model.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has earned commendation for demonstrating leadership, particularly in championing digital trade policies that support the AfCFTA. As global trade increasingly shifts toward digital platforms, Nigeria’s proactive stance in embracing e-commerce frameworks, fintech innovations, and regional digital infrastructure puts it at the forefront of Africa’s new trade narrative.
The gazetting of Nigeria’s tariff offers is not just a bureaucratic procedure—it is a symbol of intent, ambition, and commitment to a borderless Africa built on trade, innovation, and shared prosperity. If implemented effectively, this bold move could herald a new era of economic diplomacy, deepen regional ties, and put Nigeria on track to become a leader in intra-African commerce.