Nigeria’s first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area has arrived at Mombasa Port, Kenya.
The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, led by Olusegun Awolowo, coordinated the shipment per the African Union’s 31st Ordinary Assembly decision mandate.
The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office said in a statement on Sunday that the country’s shipment to Kenya underscores its growing role in fostering intra-African trade and economic integration.
The shipment, which consisted of synthetic filaments produced by Lucky Fibres Limited (Lush), a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, was exported under AfCFTA preferential trade terms.
The shipment marks a significant step towards realising the vision of AfCFTA, a framework established to boost trade among African nations.
Senior Trade Expert at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Olutayo, described the development as a triumph for the continent.
Olutayo said, “In times of escalating geopolitical tension and looming geoeconomic fragmentation, AfCFTA presents a perfect opportunity for Africa to leverage trade as a strategic instrument for enhanced market access among state parties. This is a historic moment, a realisation of the vision of our continent’s founding fathers and mothers.”
He praised the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, noting that they have strengthened the country’s participation in AfCFTA and advanced continental goals of industrialisation and economic integration. “These reforms have been instrumental in positioning Nigeria as a key player in the trade pact,” he added.
Olutayo also commended the Kenyan authorities for their seamless cooperation, which, according to him, exemplifies the true spirit of the AfCFTA agreement.
The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office acknowledged the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Kenya AfCFTA Implementation Committee, and the Kenya Revenue Authority, hailing their roles in ensuring the initiative’s success.
Olutayo described the first consignment as signifying a new era of trade-driven prosperity for Africa, highlighting its potential to transform the continent’s economic landscape.
He added that the collaboration between Nigeria and Kenya is a testament to the shared vision of a united, prosperous Africa.