Category: Uncategorized

African Parliamentary Leaders Applaud Progress in AfCFTA Implementation

The 2025 Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments held from 29th – 30th September 2025, underscored growing confidence in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a driver of continental integration and industrial transformation. Speakers from across Africa commended the AfCFTA Secretariat, led by Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, for its tangible progress in operationalizing […]

Navigating Trade Challenges: South Africa’s Economic Future Post-AGOA

The latest trade statistics from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), released on 30 September 2025, reflect both strength and vulnerability in South Africa’s economic landscape. Despite recording a R4.0 billion trade surplus, exports fell by 6.8% while imports grew by 1.9%, highlighting the fragility of the current trade balance. The decline in major export […]

WTO warns Africa to bridge Digital gap or miss AI-driven trade boom

The World Trade Organization’s 2025 World Trade Report and its companion study Trading with Intelligence emphasize that artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a defining force in global commerce. While AI could boost world trade by up to 14 percentage points by 2040 under universal adoption and productivity growth, the report warns that uneven uptake may cut potential gains […]

Togo surpasses South Africa as Nigeria’s top African trading partner in Q2 2025

Nigeria’s trade landscape within Africa experienced a major shift in Q2 2025, as Togo surpassed South Africa to become the country’s top African trading partner, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Nigerian exports to Togo rose dramatically from N134.8 billion in Q1 to N811.97 billion in Q2, with non-crude goods (N698.7 billion) making up […]

Nigeria, others to unlock $2.1 billion in digital trade through DCO Membership

Nigeria’s participation in the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) positions it to benefit from the recently launched Model Digital Economy Agreement (MDEA), an interoperable rulebook designed to harmonize digital trade across member states. The MDEA covers 12 core policy areas, such as trade facilitation, cross-border data flows, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, electronic transactions, payments, and SME inclusion. Once […]

Nigeria champions regional energy integration to tackle $120bn Import Bill at Africa Oil Week 2025

At the Africa Oil Week (AOW) 2025 Ministerial and CEO Leadership Forum, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership in advancing Africa’s energy security while advocating for deeper regional integration. He stressed that harmonized policies, shared infrastructure, and technical expertise are essential to address Africa’s energy poverty and […]

IATF2025 ends on high note with record $48.3 billion in deals signed by participants

The fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), held in Algiers, Algeria from September 4–10, 2025, concluded with remarkable success, recording US$48.3 billion in trade and investment deals. Organized by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the event drew over 112,000 visitors from 132 countries, with 2,148 exhibitors and 958 […]

Nigeria launches Air corridor to cut export costs

Nigeria has officially inaugurated a new AfCFTA air corridor aimed at boosting exports to key African markets, including Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce logistics costs for Nigerian exporters by 50% to 75%, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian goods across the continent. On Africa Day, the Minister of […]

Sanwo-Olu Hails AfCFTA Hackathon, Puts Youth Tech in the Spotlight

  Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has praised the organizers of the ongoing AfCFTA Hackathon 2025, describing the initiative as a transformative innovation that aligns with the state’s economic development objectives. The commendation was made on Thursday at the 2025 Science of Trade (SOT) Conference in Lagos, which included the AfCFTA Hackathon as a key […]

Nigeria’s Carbon Market Policy Set to Unlock $2.5 Billion in Investments by 2030

  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that Nigeria’s newly finalized Carbon Market Activation Policy is poised to unlock up to $2.5 billion in high-integrity carbon credits and related investments by 2030, positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for climate-smart finance in Africa. The President made this known on Wednesday through a statement by his […]

DESPITE PAUSE ON US TARIFFS, AFRICAN ECONOMIES FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURE

A temporary halt on the implementation of new US tariffs has offered a brief sigh of relief to African economies, but experts warn that the broader challenges facing the continent’s trade and industrialization ambitions remain unresolved. The United States recently announced a pause on additional tariffs targeting a range of imports from developing nations, including […]

AFRICA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LIES IN TRADE NOT CHARITY

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, made these remarks during his closing address at the session titled “The Africa Opportunity: Regional Collaboration and Trade Facilitation”, held at the 2025 Commonwealth Enterprises and Investment Summit in London.   During the session, which centered on how Africa can harness its 1.3 billion-strong population to drive trade and […]

DOMESTICATION OF THE AfCFTA IN NIGERIA

The successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement depends, to a large extent, on the willingness of State Parties (parties to the Agreement) to domesticate its provisions . Each country needs to incorporate its provisions into their legal and economic framework, by taking the necessary executive and legislative steps. This action of […]

AfCFTA in 2024: Progress, Setbacks, and Strategic Goals for 2025

As we approach the close of 2024, it’s essential to reflect on the progress made under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative and acknowledge both the achievements and challenges that have defined the year. The AfCFTA is poised to reshape Africa’s economic landscape, yet as we near its second anniversary in 2025, it’s […]

Building Bridges Across Africa: Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Growth and Integration

Africa is at the forefront of an infrastructure revolution, with transformative projects reshaping the continent’s connectivity, economic dynamics, and social landscapes. Roads, railways, ports, and airports are not just physical links but lifelines for trade, economic growth, and poverty alleviation. This surge in development reflects a shared vision of enhancing intra-African trade, opening up economies, […]

Nigeria-China Trade Surge: VP Shettima Highlights Strong Partnership

The trade relationship between Nigeria and China has reached impressive new levels, establishing it as one of Africa’s highest. Vice President Kashim Shettima commended the ongoing growth of this trade partnership, noting its importance for both nations’ economic progress. Shettima made these remarks while hosting a Chinese delegation led by Zhang Qingwei, Vice Chairman of […]

IEA and COP29 Collaborate to Drive International Energy Transition Framework

As COP29 prepares for pivotal actions toward sustainable energy, the COP29 presidency, in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA), has identified essential strategies to expedite the global shift to renewable energy. These strategies align with steps from the Global Stocktake (GST) and build on the ambitious energy targets set at COP28. Five key priorities […]

COP29 Opens with Key Developments in Global Carbon Markets

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) commenced on November 11, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking a historic moment with initial breakthroughs that could reshape global climate action. The first day of the conference set a positive tone as Parties reached a significant agreement on standards for carbon credits under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, […]

Transforming West African Skies – ECOWAS Unveils Reforms for Accessible Air Travel

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has kicked off a series of strategic consultations in Lomé, Togo, aimed at tackling the high costs of air travel across West Africa. The discussions involve aviation ministers, civil aviation authorities, and international stakeholders, focusing on actionable solutions to reduce ticket prices by 25% and make air […]

Balancing Economic Growth and Social Equity in South Africa’s Competition Policy

South Africa’s competition policy has recently garnered attention due to the Competition Tribunal’s ruling to block Vodacom’s R14-billion deal to acquire a stake in Vumatel’s parent company, Maziv. This merger was expected to generate significant benefits for the country’s telecommunications sector, particularly in underserved regions, with plans for R10 billion worth of fiber infrastructure, free internet […]

Cross-Border Dairy Disputes: The Complex Politics of Milk Trade in East Africa

The East African dairy sector has become a focal point for regional tensions, as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania grapple over market access and protectionist policies. Amid efforts by East African Community (EAC) nations to strengthen economic ties, the dairy industry exemplifies the complexities of intra-regional trade, revealing both shared ambitions and competing national priorities. […]

 EAC Trade Revolution: Aiming for 40% by 2030

A crucial meeting convened in Kigali, Rwanda, on October 12, 2024, led by the East African Community (EAC) Secretary General in collaboration with the East African Business Council (EABC). This assembly aimed to elevate intra-EAC trade from its current figure of 15% to an ambitious target of 40% by the year 2030. Centered around the […]

Stakeholder Engagement on AfCFTA: Capacity Building for Legal Advisers in Nigeria

The Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), in collaboration with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, recently conducted a one-day capacity-building workshop. The focus of the workshop was to empower legal advisers from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) nationwide, to enhance their roles in the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area […]

Digital Customs -The Key to Inclusive Trade and Economic Growth in Africa

The rapid shift toward digitization across industries has brought significant changes to global trade practices, and Customs operations are no exception. The World Customs Organization (WCO), during the WTO Public Forum 2024, underscored the critical role that digitization plays in Customs procedures, emphasizing how it enhances inclusivity, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). […]

Unlocking Africa’s Digital Trade Potential: Integrating Technological Innovations and AfCFTA Insights

Africa stands at the precipice of a digital revolution that could transform its economic landscape. As technology continues to reshape global trade, Africa’s economies have a unique opportunity to leverage digital trade to drive economic development and regional integration. However, significant infrastructural challenges—ranging from inadequate broadband connectivity to unreliable energy supply—persist. To unlock the continent’s […]

Kenya’s Levy on Legumes and Pulses – Impact on Regional Trade and Food Security

Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) announced the imposition of a 2% levy on the customs value of imported legumes and pulses, including beans, lentils, soybeans, and peanuts. While aimed at supporting local farmers and increasing government revenue, the levy raises significant concerns regarding its legal ramifications, disruption of regional trade, and potential impact on […]

Nigeria’s First FLNG Project: A Game-Changer for the Economy

In a significant development for Nigeria’s energy sector, UTM FLNG Limited, the developer behind the country’s inaugural floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility, is set to make a Final Investment Decision (FID) by the fourth quarter of 2024. This pivotal investment aims to bolster energy security, lower gas prices, increase foreign exchange earnings, generate job […]

Nigeria’s AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative: Paving the Path to Economic Integration

The recent launch of Nigeria’s AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s economic trajectory. Led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, National Coordinator of Nigeria’s AfCFTA Coordination Office, the event symbolizes Nigeria’s commitment to intra-African trade integration and economic advancement. Historical Context and Vision: The event, held at […]