Nigeria has successfully delivered its first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has arrived at Mombasa Port in Kenya.
The shipment, coordinated by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office under the leadership of Olusegun Awolowo, was made in line with the African Union’s 31st Ordinary Assembly decision mandate.
In a statement, the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office highlighted that this milestone marks a significant step in Nigeria’s expanding role in promoting intra-African trade and economic integration.
The shipment, which included synthetic filaments produced by Lucky Fibres Limited (Lush), a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, was exported under the AfCFTA preferential trade terms. This milestone represents a significant step toward realizing the vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a framework designed to enhance trade between African nations.
Speaking on this achievement, Senior Trade Expert at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Olutayo said, “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 realization of the vision of our continent’s founding fathers and mothers.”
Olutayo also commended the bold economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighting their crucial role in enabling Nigeria’s active participation in AfCFTA and advancing continental economic integration and industrialization.
He praised the cooperation and commitment of Kenyan authorities, which he said exemplified the true spirit of AfCFTA. Olutayo further acknowledged the leadership of the AfCFTA Secretariat in driving this success, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of the Kenya AfCFTA Implementation Committee and the Kenya Revenue Authority (Customs).
The shipment marks a significant milestone, ushering in a new era of trade-driven prosperity for Africa, with the potential to transform the continent’s economy. Olutayo also noted that the partnership between Nigeria and Kenya reflects a shared vision for a united and prosperous Africa.
