FG Targets 40% GDP Growth by 2030 Through AfCFTA
The Federal Government has set an audacious target of achieving 40 percent growth in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand exports, attract investments and boost industrial productivity across key sectors.
This comes as the government steps up efforts to fully tap into the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with renewed emphasis on strengthening the technical capacity of trade institutions and private-sector players to drive effective implementation and position Nigeria as a major force in intra-African trade.
The National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, said the government has stepped up implementation through an advanced training initiative on the Rules of Origin, a vital component that determines goods’ eligibility for preferential treatment under AfCFTA.
According to him, the initiative is part of a strategic partnership with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa Programme and is being facilitated by the Nigeria Customs Service, led by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi.
He noted that the training reflects the Tinubu administration’s determination to make AfCFTA work for Nigerian manufacturers, exporters, and service providers.
“The renewed effort prioritises economic diversification, industrial expansion and regional integration. Effective implementation of AfCFTA could increase Nigeria’s GDP by as much as 40 per cent by 2030 if the right structures and human capacity are developed.
“In line with President Tinubu’s mandate, we are driving AfCFTA implementation through targeted capacity building for businesses and developing a new cadre of experts who understand the practical application of the AfCFTA Rules of Origin.
“This initiative forms part of a nationwide intervention aimed at demystifying AfCFTA instruments for Nigerian enterprises and ensuring that our private-sector players can compete effectively within Africa’s single market,” he explained.
He added that the programme aims to empower Nigerian enterprises to master product-specific rules, enhance compliance with trade requirements, and gain greater access to markets across the continent.
Awolowo said that without building local expertise, other African countries could benefit more from AfCFTA than Nigeria.
He said the Coordination Office is working closely with the Customs Service and the private sector to ensure local businesses are not left behind as Africa moves toward a borderless trade environment.
Also speaking, a representative of the WCO, Faith Mathenge, highlighted the importance of human capital development in unlocking AfCFTA’s full potential.
She said the WCO and the European Union are providing technical assistance and continuous training to bridge knowledge gaps in Rules of Origin and customs procedures.
Mathenge noted that the EU-WCO Programme aims to enhance the capacity of customs administrations and private operators to implement AfCFTA efficiently.
She said Nigeria’s active participation demonstrates its commitment to regional trade integration and competitiveness.
“The EU-WCO Origin for Africa Programme is fully committed to supporting the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and its stakeholders. We will continue to provide technical assistance, knowledge exchange, and institutional support to ensure that Nigeria maximises AfCFTA’s immense opportunities,” she said.
Representing the National Coordinator, Mr. Olusegun Olutayo, a senior trade expert, reaffirmed that a deeper understanding of Rules of Origin would help local industries reduce dependence on imports, expand production, and compete favourably in the continental market.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s vast population and industrial potential give it a natural advantage in AfCFTA, provided its human and institutional capacities are well developed.