FG pushes Nigerian startups for continental expansion under AfCFTA

The Nigerian Federal Government is sounding a clarion call to its burgeoning startup ecosystem: it's time to look beyond domestic borders and embrace the vast opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking at the Biashara Africa 2026 forum, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, stressed that the AfCFTA is no longer a subject of mere negotiation but has entered a crucial implementation phase. This shift demands tangible actions from entrepreneurs and digital businesses to drive cross-border trade across the continent.

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As discussions continue at Biashara Africa 2026, one message remains clear: Africa has negotiated, signed, and agreed. Now, Africa must trade.

Minister Oduwole, who is also the incoming Chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers, emphasized that years of negotiations and protocol signings must now translate into practical economic opportunities. She pointed to recent policy shifts across Africa as evidence that political commitments are aligning with concrete reforms aimed at accelerating regional integration. The message is clear: Africa has talked, it has agreed, and now it must trade. This sentiment resonates deeply within Nigeria, a nation with a dynamic and innovative private sector eager to tap into the wider African market.

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A significant milestone has been recorded for African economic integration – the announcement by the Government of Togo to remove visa requirements for African passport holders and investors travelling into the country for short stays. This is another important signal that Africa is moving from aspiration to action.

A significant development highlighted by the Minister was Togo's bold move to eliminate visa requirements for African passport holders and investors. This decision is hailed as a major breakthrough, fostering greater mobility and facilitating trade and investment across the continent. It serves as a powerful signal that Africa is transitioning from aspiration to action, a sentiment that Nigerian businesses, known for their entrepreneurial spirit, are keen to capitalize on. The ease of movement is crucial for reducing bureaucratic hurdles that have long stifled intra-African commerce.

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This is another important signal that Africa is moving from aspiration to action.

Ultimately, the success of the AfCFTA hinges not just on government policies but critically on the ability of African businesses, innovators, and startups to expand their reach. Nigeria, with its large market and vibrant tech scene, is uniquely positioned to lead this charge. The government's push for continental expansion under the AfCFTA framework is a strategic imperative, aiming to unlock the full potential of Nigerian enterprises and contribute to a truly integrated African market of over 1.4 billion people. This is not just about trade; it's about building a connected and prosperous continent.

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We commend His Excellency President Faure Gnassingbé and the Government of Togo for taking decisive action that advances the spirit and objectives of the AfCFTA Agreement and reinforces Africa’s commitment to becoming a truly integrated market of over 1.4 billion people.