The Coordinating Director, AfCFTA Law and Policy, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan has emphasized the need for Nigeria to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.
Professor Ladan who spoke at the 3-day capacity building programme for federal lawmakers, parliamentary clerks, and legislative support services staff on AfCFTA Agreement implementation in Nigeria, stated that “as of early 2026, Nigeria is accelerating AfCFTA implementation, necessitating legislative action beyond mere ratification”.
The programme, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), aims to empower Nigerian federal lawmakers and legislative staff to actively drive the national implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement and its eight protocols. This initiative focuses on empowering Nigerian federal lawmakers and legislative staff to actively drive the national implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement and its eight protocols.
Professor Ladan noted that the capacity building is crucial for transforming the AfCFTA from a continental agreement into tangible economic benefits for Nigeria. The justification for the capacity building includes Legislative Mandate for Domestication: The AfCFTA requires comprehensive domestication through legal, regulatory, and policy updates, which only the National Assembly can enact.
He also highlighted Unlocking Economic Potential: With a $3.4 trillion market, the AfCFTA aims to boost Nigeria’s non-oil exports, increase GDP, and create over 13 million jobs, but these benefits require informed legislative support. Addressing Regulatory Bottlenecks: There is a need to harmonize trade-related laws, remove non-tariff barriers, and streamline border procedures to facilitate trade.
Professor Ladan further stated Oversight on Implementation: Parliament must oversee executive compliance and ensure budget allocations are aligned with AfCFTA National Action Committee goals. Protecting Local Interests: Lawmakers need to understand how to leverage the eight protocols—including trade-in services, competition policy, and investment—to protect SMEs and local industries while promoting competitiveness.
The training objectives include Develop Enabling Legislation: Draft, review, and pass legislation that harmonizes national laws with the AfCFTA agreement and its protocols, particularly regarding trade in goods, services, and competition policy. Ensure Effective Oversight: Monitor the executive branch’s implementation of readiness interventions, tariff concessions, and non-tariff barrier removal.
Other objectives are Facilitate Trade Advocacy: Actively promote awareness of trade opportunities among stakeholders, including the private sector, MSMEs, and women/youth traders. Strengthen Parliamentary Diplomacy: Engage in regional and continental diplomacy to align trade policies and address cross-border trade bottlenecks.
Build Legislative Expertise: Enhance the technical capacity of legislative support staff to guide lawmakers in understanding complex trade protocols and drafting trade-sensitive laws. The programme is expected to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive the AfCFTA implementation in Nigeria, promoting economic growth and development.
The NILDS-UNECA initiative is a timely intervention, given the need for Nigeria to accelerate AfCFTA implementation and achieve its economic diversification goals. The programme will conclude on Thursday, 5th March, 2026.
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