AfCFTA: NEPC expands market access for exporters

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has stated that it has introduced programmes targeted at expanding market access for Nigerian exporters. The Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni made the disclosure in Abuja over the weekend at NEPC Connect 6.0 webinar series which had the theme “Strategic Alignment of SMEs for AfCFTA Benefits.” According to […]

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has stated that it has introduced programmes targeted at expanding market access for Nigerian exporters.

The Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni made the disclosure in Abuja over the weekend at NEPC Connect 6.0 webinar series which had the theme “Strategic Alignment of SMEs for AfCFTA Benefits.”

According to her, “The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents Africa with the single most significant economic transformation initiative of our time. With access to a market of over 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP exceeding $3.4 trillion, AfCFTA promises not only expanded trade opportunities but also greater industrial integration, value addition, and job creation.

“For Nigeria, SMEs are the heart of this opportunity. They account for the majority of our productive base, providing employment, driving innovation, and serving as the backbone of our non-oil economy. To harness AfCFTA’s benefits, we must ensure that our SMEs are not just participants, but winners in this new continental marketplace.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has been working tirelessly to position Nigerian SMEs for continental competitiveness through capacity building and market Intelligence which entails equipping SMEs with knowledge of AfCFTA rules of origin, export readiness assessments and priority sector opportunities.

“Also, the NEPC is connecting businesses with funding platforms and reducing barriers that limit their participation in cross-border trade,” she said.