NEPAD Group to Host High-Level Forum on AfCFTA and Economic Growth

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Business Group Nigeria has announced plans to host a High-Level Forum on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aimed at driving economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and regional integration across the continent. The event, which is expected to attract top government officials, policymakers, business leaders, and development partners, will focus on how Nigeria and other African countries can maximise the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA agreement.

According to a statement issued by NEPAD Nigeria, the forum will provide a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to accelerate trade, enhance cross-border investment, and build value chains that promote inclusive and sustainable development. The event, themed “Harnessing the AfCFTA for Inclusive Economic Growth and Industrial Development in Africa,” will be held in Abuja later this month.

Chairman of NEPAD Business Group Nigeria, Dr. Osita Ogbu, stated that the initiative seeks to create awareness and strengthen collaboration among the public and private sectors to fully exploit the benefits of the AfCFTA. “Africa’s future growth depends on its ability to trade within itself. The AfCFTA offers us an unprecedented opportunity to deepen integration, expand markets, and enhance industrial capacity,” Ogbu said.

He added that the forum will also highlight key challenges hindering the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, including weak infrastructure, poor logistics systems, and non-tariff barriers. “We aim to propose actionable recommendations that will help African countries overcome structural impediments and strengthen trade facilitation across borders,” he added.

The AfCFTA, which came into effect in January 2021, represents the world’s largest free trade area by the number of participating countries, bringing together 55 African nations with a combined GDP of over $3 trillion. The agreement aims to eliminate tariffs on 90 percent of goods traded across the continent, promote the free movement of services, and stimulate intra-African trade, which currently stands at less than 18 percent.

The forum is expected to feature panel discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive sessions led by trade experts, economists, and business executives from across Africa. Among the key topics to be addressed are industrial policy alignment, financing trade infrastructure, digital trade, agricultural value chains, and youth entrepreneurship.

Speaking further, Dr. Ogbu emphasized the need for Nigeria to take a leadership role in AfCFTA implementation, given its economic strength and strategic position in West Africa. “Nigeria cannot afford to be on the sidelines. We must strengthen our manufacturing base, enhance export readiness, and build the capacity of our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to compete on the continental stage,” he said.

Also speaking, Mrs. Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD Nigeria, stated that the forum aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to regional economic cooperation and industrial diversification. “The AfCFTA is a game-changer for Africa. Through this platform, we will identify practical steps to enhance Nigeria’s participation and promote partnerships that drive innovation and sustainable growth,” she said.

Akobundu noted that NEPAD’s role is to facilitate partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that economic development is inclusive and impactful. “Our goal is to ensure that trade translates into tangible improvements in people’s lives — more jobs, higher incomes, and reduced poverty,” she explained.

The high-level event will also see the participation of representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Other stakeholders expected include senior officials from the Ministries of Trade, Finance, and Industry, as well as key players in Nigeria’s manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics sectors.

Experts have hailed the upcoming forum as timely, given the pressing need for African countries to deepen economic cooperation amid global trade disruptions and economic uncertainties. Professor Adebayo Olukoshi, an economist and policy analyst, said the meeting could serve as a catalyst for aligning national strategies with the AfCFTA framework. “The real challenge for Africa is not the lack of agreements but the lack of implementation. Platforms like this NEPAD forum help bridge the gap between policy and action,” he remarked.

He further noted that with Africa’s growing population projected to reach 1.7 billion by 2030, the continent must leverage trade liberalisation to create jobs and reduce dependence on imports. “If properly implemented, AfCFTA could lift millions out of poverty and position Africa as a major global manufacturing and trade hub,” Olukoshi added.

NEPAD Business Group Nigeria has over the years played an active role in promoting economic cooperation, investment facilitation, and sustainable development in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The organisation continues to work with stakeholders to design frameworks that support infrastructure development, innovation, and inclusive trade.

The forthcoming AfCFTA High-Level Forum is therefore expected to produce a communique outlining key policy recommendations for governments and business leaders. Participants are also expected to develop a roadmap for strengthening Africa’s industrial base and enhancing competitiveness in global markets.

Observers believe that the event will not only reinforce NEPAD’s position as a leading voice in Africa’s economic transformation but also serve as a springboard for greater regional collaboration. As Dr. Ogbu concluded, “The time for Africa to trade and grow together is now. AfCFTA provides the blueprint — what remains is collective action to make it work for everyone.”