Nigeria’s first shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area has arrived at Mombasa Port, Kenya.
The shipment was coordinated by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, led by Olusegun Awolowo, in line with the mandate from the African Union’s 31st Ordinary Assembly decision.
The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office stated in a Sunday release that the shipment to Kenya highlights Nigeria’s expanding role in promoting intra-African trade and economic integration.
The shipment, consisting of synthetic filaments produced by Lucky Fibres Limited, a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, was exported under AfCFTA preferential trade terms.
The shipment represents a major step toward realizing the vision of AfCFTA, a framework designed to enhance trade among African nations.
The Senior Trade Expert at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Olutayo,
called the development 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 President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, highlighting that they have strengthened Nigeria’s participation in AfCFTA and furthered the continent’s goals of industrialization and economic integration.
“These reforms have been instrumental in positioning Nigeria as a key player in the trade pact,” he added.
Olutayo also praised the Kenyan authorities for their smooth cooperation, which he said 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 for their roles in ensuring the success of the initiative.
Olutayo called the first consignment a symbol of a new era of trade-driven prosperity for Africa, stressing its potential to reshape the continent’s economic landscape.
