Nigeria’s first AfCFTA consignment arrives at Kenyan Port
In a historic moment for Africa’s trade landscape, the first shipment from Nigeria under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has successfully arrived at the Mombasa Port in Kenya. With reference to the Decision of the AU Assembly at its 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly, the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office in line with its mandate under the leadership of Mr Olusegun Awolowo coordinated the landmark event which marks a significant milestone for Nigeria in realizing the vision of increased intra-African trade and economic integration championed by the AfCFTA.
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Speaking on this achievement, the representative of the National Coordinator, Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Expert at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, 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 realization of the vision of our continent’s founding fathers and mothers.”
This first consignment which is a synthetic filaments product of Nigeria’s Lucky Fibres Limited (Lush), a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, was exported under AfCFTA preferential terms. Olutayo also praised the bold economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing their catalytic role in enabling Nigeria’s active participation in AfCFTA, fostering continental economic integration and industrialization goals.
Picture: Mr. Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Expert at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office (Second from right), Ms. Nancy Kibibi and other staff of Lucky Fibres Limited in Kenya during the arrival consignment on AfCFTA on 2nd January 2025.
Olutayo commended the seamless cooperation and commitment from Kenyan authorities, which exemplifies the true spirit of AfCFTA. He also recognized the pivotal leadership role of the AfCFTA Secretariat in fostering this success and emphasized the collaborative efforts of the Kenya AfCFTA Implementation Committee and the Kenya Revenue Authority (Customs).
The shipment, exported under AfCFTA preferential trade terms, underscores; partnership, shared vision, the agreement’s potential to transform Africa’s economic landscape and pave the way for a new era of trade-driven prosperity, Olutayo noted.
