The Federal Government has declared that the African Continental Free Trade Area has moved beyond negotiations and entered a critical implementation phase, urging Nigerian entrepreneurs and digital businesses to take the lead in driving cross-border trade across the continent.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, made the call during discussions at the Biashara Africa 2026 forum, where she challenged African leaders, policymakers, and businesses to dismantle long-standing barriers hindering intra-African trade and investment.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the minister said Africa had spent years negotiating agreements and signing protocols, adding that the continent must now focus on practical implementation that delivers economic opportunities for businesses and citizens.
The minister, who spoke as the incoming Chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers, said recent policy actions across the continent showed that African countries were beginning to match political commitments with concrete reforms aimed at accelerating regional integration.
“As discussions continue at Biashara Africa 2026, one message remains clear: Africa has negotiated, signed, and agreed. Now, Africa must trade.
