Nigeria’s Bold Move Toward Pan-African Trade: A 90% Duty Waiver Under AfCFTA

|Published 12:40 PM ET, Saturday April 19, 2025|

In a landmark decision that signals a strong commitment to regional economic integration, Nigeria has approved a 90% duty waiver on imports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This bold policy shift positions Africa’s largest economy at the heart of the continent’s drive toward seamless intra-African trade, with far-reaching implications for businesses, job creation, and sustainable development.

The decision, which formalizes Nigeria’s ECOWAS Schedule of Tariff Offers, was announced during the recent Council of Ministers meeting held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. With this move, Nigeria becomes the 23rd AfCFTA state party to submit its tariff concessions—meeting a key obligation of the agreement and reinforcing its commitment to a unified African market.

At the core of this initiative is a progressive plan to eliminate duties on 90% of traded goods over a ten-year period, a strategy in line with the African Union’s phased implementation model. This will significantly lower trade barriers and reduce the cost of doing business across the continent. For Nigeria, the implications are transformative.

The waiver is expected to be a major boost to Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of which have long been constrained by high import costs and limited market access. By easing entry into neighboring African markets, Nigerian exporters—especially youth- and women-led businesses—will be better equipped to compete, scale, and thrive. Lower tariffs will also likely lead to more affordable goods for consumers and greater product diversity in the local market.

Moreover, Nigeria’s active participation in AfCFTA lays the groundwork for deeper regional collaboration, investment flows, and digital trade integration. It reflects a forward-looking economic agenda that embraces globalization on Africa’s terms—fueled not just by oil or raw commodities, but by value-added goods, services, and technology-driven entrepreneurship.

While challenges remain—including infrastructure deficits, border inefficiencies, and the need for strong regulatory alignment—Nigeria’s tariff concession is a necessary step toward unlocking the full potential of AfCFTA. As implementation unfolds, the onus will be on policymakers, trade officials, and private sector stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of open trade are widely felt and equitably distributed.

This is more than a policy—it is a statement of intent. Nigeria is not just trading goods; it is trading up.

Dr. Omoruyi is the publisher of iNewsAfrica, an online news platform dedicated to delivering eyewitness news from Africa to a global audience.