Oyo State has intensified preparations for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with government officials and stakeholders calling for collective investment, capacity building and strategic partnerships.
This was the focus of discussions at the Train the Trainers Workshop on the Oyo State AfCFTA Implementation Strategy held at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Representing Governor Seyi Makinde, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, said Oyo State is the first sub-national entity in Africa to develop a comprehensive AfCFTA implementation strategy.
According to him, the initiative will “expand market access opportunities for Oyo State products, enhance agribusiness and agricultural exports, and position the state as a hub for trade and services within the West African sub-region.”
Prof. Babatunde explained that the workshop was designed to build the capacity of state and non state actors by exposing them to AfCFTA opportunities, integrated value chains and regulatory frameworks.
“Participants need to understand the roles of regulators such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Customs and Immigration,” he said, adding that trainees are expected to return to their respective associations to replicate the training and strengthen operational capacity across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser on International Trade and AfCFTA to Governor Seyi Makinde, Ms Neo Theodore Thaselo said the year 2026 has been officially declared as the commencement of full AfCFTA implementation. “From 2021 to 2025, activities were largely focused on negotiating protocols. Those negotiations have now been concluded, and this signals a clear call for us to intensify implementation efforts,” he said, while commending stakeholders for their commitment to the process.
The Special Adviser also praised the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) for ensuring a dedicated budget for AfCFTA implementation, noting that “no government can successfully implement AfCFTA without making substantial financial investments.”
She, however, stressed that funding should not rest solely on government. “AfCFTA implementation is a collective responsibility. We must all partner, exert influence and mobilise investment across all levels,” he added, urging chambers of commerce, development partners and associations to play more active roles.
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