The Federal Government has unveiled a $1 billion African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Adjustment Fund Credit Facility for Nigerian exporters as part of its ongoing moves to enhance Nigeria’s export-led growth agenda.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this on Tuesday during the second-quarter 2026 meeting of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee held in Abuja.
A statement issued on the funding window for the exporters by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Augustina Okechi, quoted the minister as saying that the financing facility represents an opportunity for Nigerian businesses seeking to expand operations, modernise production processes, and increase exports to African markets.
The statement partly reads: “The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s export-led growth agenda under the African Continental Free Trade Area, unveiling opportunities for businesses to access a US$1 billion AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility aimed at boosting production, competitiveness, and intra-African trade.
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“Many businesses still face challenges relating to export documentation, certification, standards compliance and market access”, it added.
The minister explained that the government was tackling these bottlenecks through enhanced trade facilitation measures, simplified AfCFTA guidance tools, stakeholder engagement programmes, and stronger collaboration with institutions such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council(NEPC).
In addition, she harped on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and regulatory framework by domesticating key AfCFTA protocols, particularly the Digital Trade Protocol (DTP), to position Nigeria as a major player in Africa’s growing digital economy.
Oduwole also spoke on some of the gains recorded in Nigeria’s AfCFTA implementation efforts, namely the expansion of Nigeria’s Air Cargo Corridor Initiative to Rwanda, increased collaboration with development partners and private sector players, and engagement with state governments, which she noted were helping to deepen awareness and participation in the continental market.
Earlier in her welcome address and first-quarter update, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs. Patience Okala, congratulated Oduwole on her recent appointment as Chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers.
She described it as evidence of Nigeria’s increasing influence in Africa’s trade integration process. Adding that the newly introduced AfCFTA ABC Series is equipping businesses with practical knowledge on export procedures and helping them understand how to access opportunities within the continental market.
Okala clarified: “The recent AfCFTA sensitisation engagements in Kano attracted more than 470 businesses, including strong participation by women-led enterprises. The newly launched AfCFTA ABC Series is helping businesses better understand export procedures and take advantage of opportunities within the continental market.”
