Nigeria and Uganda have strengthened trade relations following the appointment of Ugandan Trade Representative Ani Bassey-Eyo to Nigeria, marking a key step in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
According to a statement, the appointment preceded the signing of commitment export orders, paving the way for Uganda’s first official shipment of goods to Nigeria.
The event, held in December 2024, coincided with the commissioning of the Free Zones Export facility at Entebbe International Airport and the launch of Uganda’s AfCFTA Implementation Strategy.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who witnessed the signing, described regional trade as a driver of economic transformation. “I am pleased to kick off the journey for the first formal exports of Ugandan products to West Africa under AfCFTA,” he stated.
“As Africa awakens to its economic potential, it becomes clear that domestic markets alone are not enough. Expanding trade across the continent is essential for sustainable growth,” Museveni added.
The first shipment, expected in the first quarter of 2025, will include coffee, black and green tea, milk, fish, and pharmaceuticals. The pilot consignment aims to assess market demand in Nigeria and set the stage for further trade expansion.
Museveni commended Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for supporting the initiative and facilitating Ugandan products’ entry into the Nigerian market. He urged African nations to strengthen commercial ties and harness the continent’s economic potential.
Ugandan Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa, highlighted the role of free zones in attracting investment and creating jobs.
Permanent Secretary Lynette Bagonza also praised the collaboration between government ministries and the private sector in shaping Uganda’s trade strategy.
Uganda noted that its push into Nigeria’s market aligns with its broader ambition to position itself as a regional trade hub. Beyond Nigeria, the country plans to expand exports to other AfCFTA member states by leveraging trade corridors and improving infrastructure.
