The Federal Government is exploring a nationwide economic strategy that would require every local government area in Nigeria to develop at least one product suitable for export within Africa.
The proposal, which targets all 774 local government areas across the country, is designed to expand Nigeria’s non-oil exports and ensure that communities at the grassroots level benefit directly from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Rather than relying on oil and a few large industries, the plan seeks to tap into local strengths by encouraging each council to identify products that can be produced, processed, and sold competitively across African markets.
The initiative was made public by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, who shared details of the plan in a post on X.
Under the proposed framework, local governments will be supported to develop export-ready goods across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, processing, and other value-added industries, depending on what each area can sustainably produce.
The broader goal is to diversify Nigeria’s export base by unlocking the economic potential of rural and urban communities and reducing the country’s heavy dependence on crude oil exports.
“The idea is simple but ambitious: every local government must have something it can produce and sell to Africa,” the statement said.
By anchoring export growth at the local level, the Federal Government believes the initiative will strengthen local economies, create jobs, stimulate industrial activity, and increase Nigeria’s share of intra-African trade.
Olusegun explained that the plan was unveiled by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, during the presentation of Nigeria’s AfCFTA Achievements Report for 2025.
The report also outlined the country’s trade priorities for 2026 and highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national authorities.
According to Oduwole, the Federal Government will work closely with state governments and local councils to identify products with real export potential and help prepare them for regional markets.
“The FG will collaborate with states and local authorities to identify viable products—whether in agriculture, manufacturing, processing, or other value-adding sectors—and position them for the African market,” the minister said.
Beyond product identification, the initiative includes reforms aimed at making export processes easier for businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.
These measures include better coordination among government agencies, improved trade data management, clearer export guidelines, and nationwide awareness campaigns to help Nigerians understand and take advantage of AfCFTA opportunities.
Officials said the reforms are intended to remove long-standing bottlenecks that have prevented small businesses and local producers from participating effectively in regional trade.
The scheme also builds on Nigeria’s expanding role under AfCFTA, including becoming the first African country to publish a five-year implementation review, a major step in tracking progress on continental trade integration.
Government officials described the initiative as a deliberate move to make AfCFTA more practical, inclusive, and impactful for ordinary Nigerians.
If successfully implemented, the programme could boost non-oil exports, strengthen local value chains, create employment, and ensure that the benefits of Africa’s largest free trade market reach communities nationwide.
The plan aligns with recent policy decisions, including the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in November 2025 of three major reforms aimed at driving innovation, trade, and global competitiveness.
One of the key policies approved by the FEC is the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, a move that further positions Nigeria as a leading voice in shaping trade policy within Africa’s $3.4 trillion single market.
Overall, the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s intention to localise AfCFTA implementation, strengthen grassroots participation, and reinforce Nigeria’s leadership in continental trade.
