The Federal Government is weighing an ambitious nationwide initiative that could reshape Nigeria’s export landscape: identifying and developing at least one export-ready product in each of the country’s 774 local government areas. The proposal is designed to deepen non-oil exports while positioning Nigeria to compete more effectively within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
At the heart of the plan is a shift in strategy, from concentrating exports at a few industrial hubs to deliberately spreading production and trade capacity across communities. Each local government is expected to focus on a product it can sustainably produce, process, and sell within the African market, whether in agriculture, manufacturing, processing, or other value-adding sectors.
From Oil Dependence to Community-Driven Trade
The initiative reflects the government’s broader effort to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil exports by unlocking the productive strengths of local economies. By rooting export activity at the grassroots, officials believe the country can stimulate industrial growth, energise rural and semi-urban economies, and expand Nigeria’s share of intra-African trade.
The idea, as described by government officials, is straightforward but far-reaching: every local government should be known for something it can produce competitively and trade across Africa. If executed effectively, this approach could transform thousands of communities into active participants in continental commerce rather than passive consumers.
Plan Unveiled at AfCFTA 2025 Report Launch
Details of the proposal emerged during the release of Nigeria’s AfCFTA Achievements Report for 2025, where the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, outlined key trade priorities for 2026. The disclosure was later amplified by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media.
According to the minister, the Federal Government intends to work closely with state governments and local authorities to identify products with genuine export potential. The goal is not just to name products, but to ensure they meet market requirements and are properly positioned for regional trade.
Beyond Product Identification
Officials emphasise that the programme goes beyond branding local goods as “exportable.” It is expected to be supported by stronger coordination among government institutions, improved trade data systems, clearer export guidelines for businesses, and nationwide sensitisation campaigns to help Nigerians better understand AfCFTA opportunities.
These measures are aimed at removing long-standing bottlenecks that have limited the participation of small businesses, cooperatives, and local producers in cross-border trade. By simplifying processes and improving access to information, the government hopes to make regional exports more inclusive and commercially viable.
Building on Nigeria’s AfCFTA Leadership
The proposed scheme builds on Nigeria’s expanding footprint under AfCFTA. Notably, the country recently became the first in Africa to publish a five-year review of its AfCFTA implementation, a step widely seen as reinforcing its leadership role in continental trade integration.
In November 2025, the Federal Executive Council also approved a set of transformative reforms linked to AfCFTA, including the ratification of the protocol on digital trade. This move further strengthened Nigeria’s position as a policy-shaping player within Africa’s $3.4 trillion single market.
Jobs, Value Chains, and Local Prosperity
If successfully implemented, the local-government-focused export strategy could drive non-oil export growth, create jobs, and stimulate value chains across the country. More importantly, it would help ensure that the benefits of Africa’s largest free trade market are felt not just at the national level, but in towns, villages, and production clusters nationwide.
In practical terms, the initiative represents an effort to localise AfCFTA, making it tangible for ordinary Nigerians, while reinforcing Nigeria’s ambition to lead Africa’s next phase of trade-driven growth.
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