Enhancing Nigeria’s AfCFTA Export Readiness: Empowering MSMEs for Intra-Africa Trade

About this project

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a transformative opportunity for Nigeria to diversify its economy and lead the continent in inclusive, sustainable trade-driven growth. With a market of 1.27 billion people – projected to grow to 1.7 billion by 2030 – and a potential GDP of USD 6.7 trillion in purchasing power parity terms, AfCFTA can reshape Africa’s economic landscape. For Nigeria, the agreement opens a strategic pathway to unlock the potential of its micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by women and youth, to drive industrialization, employment, and intra-African trade.While Nigeria’s trade has historically been concentrated in petroleum exports to non-African markets, AfCFTA creates new frontiers for high-value, non-oil exports across the continent. Yet, systemic challenges persist – ranging from inefficient logistics and restrictive customs regimes to limited access to finance, energy, and digital infrastructure. These barriers disproportionately affect MSMEs, who form the backbone of the economy but are often excluded from formal value chains and regional markets.“Enhancing Nigeria’s AfCFTA Export Readiness: Empowering MSMEs for Intra-Africa Trade” is designed as a catalytic initiative to address these structural gaps. The project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s institutional, policy, and regulatory frameworks to align with AfCFTA provisions, while directly supporting MSMEs to become competitive, connected, and compl…

Goals

Sustainable Development Goals this project works towards

• 1No Poverty
• 8Decent Work and Economic Growth
• 10Reduced Inequalities
• 12Responsible Consumption and Production
• 17Partnerships for the Goals

Published by

United Nations Development Programme · Multilateral

Countries

Nigeria

Sectors

Trade policy and administrative managementTrade facilitationMultilateral trade negotiations

Funded by

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Implemented by

UNDP

Accountable

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Published by United Nations Development Programme to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), last updated 5 Oct 2026 and imported automatically. IATI identifier: XM-DAC-41114-PROJECT-01004345.

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