The Federal Government has urged Nigerian startups and digital businesses to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand across the continent, declaring that the agreement has moved from negotiation to implementation.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, made the call during discussions at the Biashara Africa 2026 forum on Thursday, May 21, 2026, where she challenged African leaders, policymakers, and businesses to dismantle barriers limiting intra-African trade and investment.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the minister said Africa had spent years signing agreements and protocols and must now focus on practical implementation capable of creating real economic opportunities for businesses and citizens.
Speaking as the incoming Chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers, Oduwole said recent policy actions by African countries showed growing commitment to regional integration and economic cooperation.
“As discussions continue at Biashara Africa 2026, one message remains clear: Africa has negotiated, signed, and agreed. Now, Africa must trade,” she said.
Oduwole also praised the Government of Togo for removing visa requirements for African passport holders and investors travelling into the country for short stays, describing the move as a major step toward improving mobility, trade, and investment across the continent.
She commended Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé for what she described as decisive action that aligns with the goals of the AfCFTA agreement.
According to her, easing movement across African borders would reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks discouraging trade, investment, and business partnerships among African nations.
The minister stressed that the success of the AfCFTA would depend not only on government policies but also on the willingness of African businesses, innovators, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs to scale beyond their domestic markets.
“The future of the AfCFTA will not be built by policy alone. It will be driven by enterprises, innovators, manufacturers, digital platforms, and entrepreneurs who are ready to trade,” she stated.
As part of efforts to deepen implementation of the trade agreement, Oduwole announced the launch of the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration Programme 2026 under the AfCFTA–Korea Africa Foundation partnership.
She explained that the initiative would support 30 high-potential African startups seeking to expand beyond the continent and access global markets, particularly South Korea.
According to the minister, the programme will help participating startups strengthen their business models, improve competitiveness, and position themselves for international expansion.
She noted that Nigerian startups operating in fintech, e-commerce, logistics, agritech, manufacturing, and digital platforms stand to benefit significantly from the initiative.
Oduwole urged eligible Nigerian entrepreneurs to apply for the programme before the May 24, 2026 deadline, encouraging them to position themselves at the forefront of Africa’s emerging digital trade ecosystem.
The AfCFTA, which officially commenced trading in January 2021, is regarded as one of the world’s largest free trade areas, bringing together 54 African countries into a single market aimed at boosting intra-African trade, industrialisation, and economic growth.
Experts have, however, argued that despite Africa’s population and economic potential, trade among African countries remains relatively low due to infrastructure deficits, visa restrictions, weak logistics networks, and regulatory bottlenecks.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy by GDP, is expected to play a key role in the implementation of the agreement because of its large consumer market, growing digital economy, expanding manufacturing sector, and rising startup ecosystem.
