How Nigeria is taking the lead in Africa’s commodities commerce

On the Moonshot 2025 convention, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Commerce, Business, and Funding, detailed how the nation is constructing momentum in commodities commerce throughout the African continent. She urged key actors, particularly Nigerian builders, to play their half in effecting the African Continental Free Commerce Space, a commerce settlement binding 54 African nations.   

“We [Nigeria] do face challenges, infrastructure gaps, regulatory complexity, and entry to capital. However then, who doesn’t?” Oduwole requested the viewers in her keynote deal with. “And are we constructing momentum despite them? Completely sure, and because of you. I see each problem as a chance to innovate and put money into credible returns.”

Oduwole highlighted that in February 2025, on the thirty eighth AU (African Union) Heads of State Summit, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nigeria was designated as co-champion of digital commerce below the AfCFTA, alongside South Africa and Kenya, highlighting g Nigeria’s recognition as a pacesetter in digital commerce throughout Africa below the AfCFTA framework.

In a fireplace chat with Anu Adedoyin Adasolum, co-founder and CEO of Sabi,  Oduwole highlighted efforts by the federal authorities to formalise the casual commerce sector which constituted over 40% of Nigeria’s commodities sector, from automating enterprise registrations to getting Tax Identification Numbers.  

“Nigeria is participating with key African companions to facilitate market entry for our tech startups and digital service suppliers; the federal government is constructing pathways,” Oduwole mentioned. 

Oduwole additionally highlighted that in a bid to help small companies exporting their items, the ministry facilitated a contest via which it awarded over 140 companies a grant of $20,000 with one 12 months of technical help to entry market entry internationally. This was in collaboration with the Worldwide Commerce Centre (ITC) and the World Commerce Organisation (WTO).

She additional famous that the Ministry of Business, Commerce, and Funding is making ready for the launch of a devoted program for the primary high-impact startups in search of to scale throughout Africa and globally. The initiative will supply focused help from market entry and regulatory navigation to strategic partnerships.

For a stronger alignment between tech builders and the federal government, the minister urged tech builders to offer information that may assist the federal government perceive the wants of the digital ecosystem higher. 
“In case you haven’t completed so already, please full the nationwide digital companies survey,” she urged.“It helps us symbolize your pursuits precisely and form the precise help applications.” You may fill the survey right here.