The National Assembly has announced its intention to undertake legislative measures to effectively implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement in a bid to enhance Nigeria’s economic framework.
During the commencement of a three-day workshop focused on 'The Role of Lawmakers in the National Implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement and its Eight Associated Protocols', Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that treaties would not yield desired outcomes without deliberate domestication and continued legislative examination.
Represented by Senator Ibrahim Khalid, Akpabio referred to the AfCFTA as a groundbreaking chance to transform Africa’s economy, highlighting that mere ratification does not suffice for effectiveness.
He remarked, “A single market of over 1.4 billion people opens up vast opportunities, but treaties won’t execute themselves. There must be active implementation post-ratification.”
Akpabio called for the National Assembly to convert continental obligations into actionable national policies.
The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, organized the workshop.
He emphasized that lawmakers need to thoroughly review AfCFTA’s protocols, enact targeted legislation, and bolster oversight to protect national interests.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, also emphasized the imperative role of the legislature in facilitating these implementations.
Represented by Hon. Rabiu Yusuf, who leads the House Committee on Treaties, Agreements and Protocols, he acknowledged AfCFTA as one of Africa’s most ambitious initiatives for integration.
Abbas pointed out that the success of the agreement relies on cohesive national execution, stressing that legislative support is crucial for making treaty commitments practice-ready.
He further highlighted that the National Assembly possesses constitutional authority over budget appropriations, indicating that sufficient funding is essential for modernizing customs, supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and enhancing trade infrastructure and evaluation data systems.
Also addressing the gathering, Dr. Deji Adeshile, Senior Special Assistant on Policy, represented the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment. He noted that Nigeria’s Industrial Policy 2025 prioritizes trade competitiveness and regional integration as essential facets for industrial development.
Aligning domestic laws and institutional frameworks with AfCFTA requirements, he indicated, is vital for facilitating smooth trade, safeguarding investments, and boosting competitiveness for MSMEs.
In his keynote address, a representative of UNECA’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Melaku Desta, asserted that the ultimate success of AfCFTA hinges on effective execution at the national scale.
He discussed forecasts indicating significant potential growth for intra- African trade under AfCFTA but warned that realizing these benefits depends on complete adherence to legal and regulatory obligations by member states.
Desta urged lawmakers to realign executive actions with continental responsibilities while protecting national interests.
Earlier, NILDS Director-General, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, highlighted that AfCFTA marks one of the most extensive economic ventures in Africa's recent history.
He reaffirmed that legislative bodies are crucial in the domestication of international agreements, enacting supporting laws, approving budgets, and overseeing implementation.
The three-day workshop is designed to enhance lawmakers’ understanding of the AfCFTA's eight protocols and clarify Nigeria’s responsibilities, thereby equipping parliamentary staff with improved technical and research support.
Participants include senators, House members, legislative staff, and trade policy experts, all optimistic that this engagement will lead to significant legislative reforms, positioning Nigeria as a key advantage in the continental trade framework.
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