The federal government has urged states to harness opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to accelerate industrialisation, boost exports, attract investment and create jobs across the country.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, made the call during a Working Visit and Strategic Engagement with State Commissioners of Commerce, Trade and Investment on Monday in Abuja.

Ms Oduwole said the meeting was designed to strengthen collaboration between the federal government and states in advancing Nigeria’s industrialisation, trade expansion, investment promotion and job creation agenda nationwide.

“States and federal collaboration will maximise AfCFTA opportunities, while regular knowledge-sharing sessions will as well improve coordination between the both governments on trade and investment initiatives,” she said.

The minister described AfCFTA as a key component of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s economic diversification strategy, aimed at expanding market access, strengthening value chains and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness across Africa.

She disclosed that the ministry had commenced nationwide AfCFTA sensitisation and capacity-building tours, beginning with the North-West region in Kano, to prepare businesses for emerging continental trade opportunities.

According to her, the initiative brings together relevant government agencies and private-sector stakeholders to equip businesses with the knowledge and tools needed for cross-border trade.

“Every state and local government has exportable products capable of joining regional and continental value chains,” Ms Oduwole said, while encouraging subnational governments to identify and promote competitive sectors.

She announced that Nigeria would host the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) and the Intra-African Trade Fair in Lagos in November 2027, providing significant opportunities for businesses nationwide.

The minister urged states to mobilise manufacturers, exporters, investors and creative entrepreneurs to take advantage of the continental events and expand their participation in African markets.

According to her, Nigeria is the incoming chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers and will lead key continental trade committees over the next year.

Ms Oduwole called for sustained collaboration among governments at all levels to advance trade, industrialisation and economic prosperity for Nigeria, the ECOWAS region and the African continent.

The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, said the ministry remained central to achieving Nigeria’s economic diversification goals and promoting sustainable national development through industrial growth.

Mr Enoh emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the federal government and states, noting that most industrial projects, manufacturing hubs and economic clusters were located within the states.

He said the federal government had introduced a National Industrial Policy and was working with states to implement industrial clusters, investment promotion programmes and value-addition initiatives.

Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, commended the ministers for strengthening collaboration between the federal government and states to drive economic growth.

Speaking on behalf of the commissioners, Mrs Ambrose-Medebem said the engagement would deepen federal-state coordination, align programmes with the Renewed Hope Agenda and promote enterprise development nationwide.

She said preparations for CANEX 2026 and IATF 2027 required deliberate coordination, while pledging the commissioners’ support to position Nigeria as Africa’s leading trade and investment destination.

Also speaking, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Chris Isokpunwu, described the commissioners’ visit as a demonstration of a shared commitment to industrialisation, trade expansion, investment promotion and job creation.

Mr Isokpunwu said sustainable economic transformation required strong collaboration between the Federal Government and states to translate national policies into tangible benefits for businesses and citizens.

According to him, the ministry’s priorities include expanding exports, accelerating industrialisation, increasing trade volumes and creating sustainable employment through coordinated and effective policy implementation nationwide.

He urged the commissioners to participate actively in the ministry’s 17th National Council on Industry in Enugu, describing it as a platform for strengthening policy coordination and competitiveness. 

(NAN)