The WCO Supports Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and Stakeholders to Enhance Competencies in Rules of Origin
The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and the Nigeria Customs Service, conducted an Advanced Training Workshop on Rules of Origin (RoO) in Abuja from 16 to 18 September 2025. The initiative, held under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme and funded by the European Union, aimed to […]
Namibia’s intra-Africa exports hit N$4.7b
Namibia’s export performance continues to show impressive growth, underscoring the country’s expanding role in regional trade and investment. As of late 2024, Namibia’s total exports to African markets exceeded N$4.7 billion, while imports from the continent stood at N$7.7 billion. The country’s key export commodities — diamonds, uranium, gold, fish, and copper — continue to drive […]
New WTO-World Bank reports hail progress in advancing Africa’s digital trade
The WTO Secretariat and the World Bank have successfully completed the pilot phase of their joint initiative, “Digital Trade for Africa,” culminating in the publication of digital trade assessments for six African countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda. During an information session on 25 September, both organizations briefed WTO members on the project’s […]
Manufacturers Warn Proposed Tax Stamp Could Trigger Inflation and Weaken Nigeria’s AfCFTA Competitiveness
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that proposed tax stamps on excisable goods would worsen inflation, shrink consumer demand, and undermine Nigeria’s competitiveness under AfCFTA. While acknowledging the gains of the 2025 Tax Act—which simplified levies and reduced compliance costs—MAN argued that tax stamps would reintroduce hidden burdens, raise production costs, and push consumers […]
Nigeria leads West African delegation to strengthen Trade ties with Malaysia
Nigeria has taken the lead in positioning West Africa on the global halal stage through a strong presence at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025, held on 20th September 2025, organized by MATRADE. The region was represented by 25 buyers — including eight from Nigeria — alongside participants from Senegal, Mali, and Ghana, reflecting […]
ECOWAS Moves to Review 0.5% Import Levy Amid Revenue Decline
ECOWAS member states, including Ghana, have begun reviewing the bloc’s Community Levy, a 0.5% tax on imports from non-ECOWAS countries, to address declining revenues and strengthen financing for regional programmes. The levy, which provides up to 80% of ECOWAS’s budget, has been in place for over 18 years but now faces challenges related to compliance, efficiency, […]
ECOWAS Steps Up Efforts to Implement Enhanced Trade Scheme
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is stepping up efforts to improve its Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) after a regional meeting in Accra, Ghana, from 9–12 September 2025, which identified ongoing obstacles to intra-regional trade. The ETLS, which allows duty-free movement of qualifying goods produced within the region, is central to ECOWAS’s goal […]
Climate Summit 2025: The path to COP30
The Climate Ambition Summit, held on 24 September at UN Headquarters in New York, marks a pivotal moment ahead of COP30. Designed as a focused high-level event rather than a negotiating session, it calls on world leaders, businesses, and civil society to deliver new or updated national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement. UN Secretary-General […]
OECD Seeks ‘Aid for Trade 2.0’ to Tackle Climate and Digital Inequities
The OECD’s new working paper, Aid for Trade at a Crossroads, warns that the initiative risks irrelevance unless it evolves to address climate change, digitalization, and inequality. Originally designed to strengthen trade capacity in developing countries, aid for trade has financed infrastructure, modernised customs, and supported entry into global value chains. However, the current landscape is more […]
The Echoes of the Eco; How To Make It a Reality.
Article- 19th September 2025 Mercy Obed. In the words of the world-renowned author, Helen Keller; “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”. The proposed single currency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Eco, represents a seismic step towards deeper regional economic integration. At its […]
South Africa’s China Connection amid Global Disruption
In light of rising global trade tensions, South Africa is committed to enhancing its trade relationships, particularly with Africa and China. Trade Minister Parks Tau emphasizes the importance of intra-African trade for economic resilience and highlights the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a critical opportunity for collaboration. By boosting exports and addressing compliance challenges, South Africa aims to navigate the complexities of global trade while strengthening its economic position within the continent and beyond.
AfCFTA Digital Trade: Empowering Africa
Digital Trade will significantly ameliorate the trade infrastructure deficit predominant on the African continent. It is great to note that the AfCFTA is embracing the challenge by adopting strategies around digital trade. Please join our Principal Consultant Soji Awogbade FEI and other experts at an upcoming workshop organized by the National Action Committee of the […]