AfCFTA Moves Into Implementation Phase as Nigeria Urges Entrepreneurs to Drive Intra-African Trade

AfCFTA Moves Into Implementation Phase as Nigeria Urges Entrepreneurs to Drive Intra-African Trade

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared that the implementation phase of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has begun in earnest, urging African entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses to take the lead in driving cross-border trade and economic integration across the continent.

This position was reinforced during discussions at the Biashara Africa 2026, where Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, addressed participants in her capacity as the Incoming Chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers.

According to the Minister, Africa has concluded negotiations and signed agreements, but must now focus on practical implementation by dismantling barriers limiting intra-African trade and investment.

A major development announced at the conference was the decision by the Government of Togo to remove visa requirements for African passport holders and investors travelling into the country for short stays. The move is being viewed as a significant step toward deeper regional integration and easier movement of people and businesses within Africa.

Dr. Oduwole commended President Faure Gnassingbé and the Togolese government for what she described as decisive action that aligns with the objectives of the AfCFTA agreement and Africa’s ambition of creating a unified market of more than 1.4 billion people.

As part of efforts to accelerate implementation of the trade pact, the Minister also unveiled the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration Programme 2026, a flagship initiative under the partnership between AfCFTA and the Korea-Africa Foundation.

The programme is designed to support 30 high-potential African startups seeking to expand beyond the continent and access global markets, particularly South Korea.

Nigerian startups operating in sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, logistics, agritech, manufacturing and digital platforms were encouraged to apply for the programme to strengthen their operations and position themselves for international growth.

Dr. Oduwole, who also serves as Co-Champion of Digital Trade under the AfCFTA framework, stressed that the future of the continental trade agreement would be driven not only by government policies but by enterprises, innovators, manufacturers and entrepreneurs prepared to trade across borders.

The application deadline for the programme is May 24, 2026.

Interested applicants can submit entries via:SME.Support@au-afcfta.org .