Nigeria pushes easier travel across Africa to boost trade under AfCFTA

Nigeria says it is working with other African countries to make business travel easier under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Trade Minister Jumoke Oduwole said simpler visa policies, improved air cargo links and reduced trade barriers will help businesses, especially SMEs and women-owned enterprises, expand across Africa and boost regional economic growth.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting easier movement of people, goods and services across Africa, saying freer travel is essential to unlocking the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said Nigeria is working with other African countries to remove barriers that discourage business travel and limit trade opportunities across the continent.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Oduwole explained that improved mobility would enable entrepreneurs, investors and businesses to access new markets more easily, strengthen regional partnerships and accelerate economic growth.

NIGERIA SUPPORTS FREER MOVEMENT

The minister said Nigeria joined other African nations in reaffirming their commitment to promoting the free movement of people, services and investments under the AfCFTA framework.
She noted that although visa policies remain the responsibility of individual countries, there is increasing support across the continent for travel policies that encourage business and investment.
According to her, reducing travel restrictions will make it easier for African businesses to collaborate, expand operations and take advantage of opportunities created by the continent's single market.

PRAISE FOR VISA REFORMS

Oduwole commended Togo for its commitment to removing visa requirements for African travellers, describing the decision as a major step toward achieving the objectives of the AfCFTA.
She also praised Rwanda's visa policy, saying it has improved business travel, boosted tourism and encouraged regional investment.
The minister said Nigeria continues to engage with African governments through the AfCFTA Secretariat, the African Union and bilateral discussions to promote simpler visa procedures.
She added that ongoing discussions include visa-on-arrival arrangements and mutual recognition of business travel documents to make cross-border movement easier.

IMPROVING TRADE FACILITATION

Beyond travel reforms, Oduwole said Nigeria is tackling other obstacles affecting trade through the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, customs cooperation and improved logistics.
She noted that digital trade systems, better transport networks and efficient logistics would reduce the cost of doing business across African borders.
According to her, Nigeria cannot determine when other countries will implement similar reforms but remains optimistic that more progress will be achieved as AfCFTA implementation continues.

BENEFITS FOR BUSINESSES

The minister said easier travel would particularly benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women-owned businesses and non-oil exporters seeking access to larger African markets.
She highlighted the recently inaugurated Nigeria–Uganda Air Cargo Corridor operated with Uganda Airlines, describing it as a practical initiative that has lowered cargo costs and improved export opportunities to East Africa.
She added that similar partnerships are being expanded with RwandAir to further improve regional connectivity and reduce logistics expenses.

REMOVING TRADE BARRIERS

Oduwole identified high logistics costs, non-tariff barriers, fragmented regulations, cross-border payment challenges and restrictions on business mobility as some of the biggest obstacles to intra-African trade.
She said Nigeria has already gazetted its Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions to support AfCFTA implementation and has introduced dedicated air cargo corridors that have reduced freight costs by between 50 and 75 per cent.
The government is also implementing the National Single Window to simplify trade processing while mapping more than 200 digital service companies across 17 sectors to strengthen regional digital trade.
According to the minister, Nigeria remains committed to reducing trade costs, improving market access and ensuring that businesses fully benefit from opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area