The Federal Government plans to identify at least one exportable product in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas (LGAs) in 2026, as part of efforts to expand non-oil exports and strengthen the country’s position under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The initiative was disclosed by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, following comments by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, at the launch of Nigeria’s AfCFTA Achievements Report 2025.
Under the plan, each LGA will develop a product that can be produced, processed and sold within the African market, drawing from sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and other value-added industries.
The Federal Government said it will work with state and local authorities to identify products with real export potential, improve coordination among agencies, strengthen trade data management, and simplify export guidelines for businesses.
Officials say the programme is designed to unlock grassroots productivity, create jobs, grow local value chains and increase Nigeria’s share of intra-African trade, while making AfCFTA more practical and inclusive for communities across the country.
The initiative builds on recent AfCFTA reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council in November 2025, including the ratification of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa’s $3.4 trillion single market.
