Oyo State Sets Historic Pace as Africa’s First Sub-National to Launch AfCFTA Implementation Strategy

The Oyo State Government is poised to make history with the official launch of its African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation strategy, scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2025. This pioneering move marks Oyo as the first among Africa’s 591 sub-national entities to domesticate and align with the AfCFTA framework, underscoring Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s unwavering commitment to expanding the state’s economy, boosting regional trade, and enhancing the livelihoods of its over eight million residents.

At a pre-launch briefing in Ibadan, Ms. Neo Theodore-Tlhaselo, Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on International Trade and AfCFTA, highlighted that the strategy is a monumental step for not just Oyo State, but for Nigeria and the entire African continent. She explained that the AfCFTA implementation strategy is a binding statutory instrument requiring states to synchronize domestic policies and legislation with the broader pan-African trade and economic integration agenda.

The AfCFTA itself, a landmark agreement signed by 54 African countries, establishes a single continental market designed to facilitate free trade across Africa by reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers to goods and services. Oyo’s domestication of this framework means the state is ready to embrace and exploit the vast trade opportunities offered by the agreement, attracting investments and fostering a business-friendly environment.

ADVERTISEMENT

The launch event, set to take place at the University of Ibadan, will convene key stakeholders including His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA African Union, Nigerian federal officials, and various dignitaries from across the continent.

Governor Makinde’s administration has long recognized the strategic importance of Oyo State’s geographic location and its rich agricultural base, which includes crops such as cocoa, cassava, maize, yams, and cashew nuts. By integrating AfCFTA provisions through this implementation strategy, Oyo aims to increase its export capacity, boost SMEs’ access to African markets, and foster industrial growth.

The strategy also reflects a broader vision to transition Oyo State into a regional trade hub with a diversified economy, stimulating job creation and poverty alleviation. Members of the Technical Working Group steering the AfCFTA strategy launch include representatives from the Ibadan Chamber of Commerce and local business leaders who have contributed to shaping the roadmap.

This historic achievement places Oyo State at the forefront of intra-African trade facilitation and economic integration, setting a benchmark for other Nigerian states and African sub-nationals to emulate in the quest for continental prosperity and development.