Oyo Leads Africa with First Sub-national AfCFTA Strategy, Eyes Economic Boost

In a historic first across Nigeria and the African continent, Oyo State has officially launched the continent’s inaugural Sub-national Implementation Strategy for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), signaling a bold step towards unlocking economic prosperity, job creation, and trade expansion for the state.

The unveiling ceremony, held on Friday at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, brought together the dynamic leadership of AfCFTA Secretary-General, His Excellency Wamkele Mene, and the Acting Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, alongside notable African diplomats, federal and state officials, and business stakeholders. The event consolidated Oyo’s commitment to fully harnessing the vast opportunities presented by the AfCFTA framework, a continental trade pact uniting 54 countries and a potential market of over 1.4 billion people.

Secretary-General Mene lauded Oyo State for pioneering a sub-national strategy that converts AfCFTA from a continental vision into actionable progress at the state level. He emphasized that the strategy would “boost trade volume, create employment, and unleash economic prosperity” benefiting youth, informal sector operators, farmers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs alike. Mene commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his visionary leadership and readiness to champion AfCFTA as a present opportunity rather than a distant aspiration, positioning Oyo as a beacon of resilience and competitiveness in Africa’s evolving trade landscape.

Acting Governor Lawal, representing Governor Makinde, outlined the strategy’s robust framework designed to address youth unemployment, drive inclusive economic growth, and alleviate poverty in Oyo through immediate, medium, and long-term interventions. He highlighted key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and the creative industries as priority areas that would receive focused support to enhance export readiness, compliance with trade standards, and attract both domestic and foreign investments. Stressing the legality and constitutionality of the sub-national strategy, Lawal clarified that while foreign trade policies remain a federal prerogative, states hold significant powers in economic development domains—making Oyo’s approach one of “para-diplomacy” that prepares the state to benefit fully once federal provisions are enacted.

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The strategy further leverages Oyo’s strategic geographic proximity to the Benin Republic as an asset for boosting cross-border trade, improving logistics, and creating jobs in ancillary services. Participants were assured that Oyo aims to become a vital trade hub for West Africa, attracting regional headquarters, processing plants, and innovation centers, thereby fostering sustainable growth, poverty reduction, and economic diversification.

Special Adviser on International Trade and AfCFTA to Governor Makinde, Ms. Neo Theodore-Tlhaselo, described the launch as a “call to action” that signals Oyo’s readiness for business across Africa and commitment to inclusive development that benefits all residents. The implementation strategy is anchored on five pillars: productive capacity and value chain development, trade facilitation and infrastructure, market access and export readiness, finance and investment mobilisation, and institutional framework and monitoring.

The launch received accolades from African diplomatic representatives including Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Christophe Baziwamo, and Sierra Leone’s Deputy High Commissioner, Major-General Dauda Fred Alpha, who hailed Oyo State’s initiative as a transformative and courageous model for sub-national engagement in continental integration.

With this landmark move, Oyo State not only advances its economic agenda but also sets a precedent for other Nigerian states and African sub-national entities to align their local policies, infrastructure, and institutional readiness with the ambitions of the AfCFTA, thereby accelerating the continent’s journey towards a unified and prosperous African market.