AfCFTA Strategy to Drive Jobs, Exports in Oyo State- AfCFTA Secretary-General

…As Continental trade chief praises Makinde’s vision as state prepares to leverage Africa’s $3.4 trillion market

…As Secretary-General says farmers, SMEs, youth stand to benefit as Oyo launches continent’s first sub-national trade plan

The Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, has commended Oyo State government for setting a continental precedent by launching a sub-national implementation strategy for AfCFTA, declaring the move a model for other African states to follow.

Speaking at the formal launch of the strategy in Ibadan on Friday, Mene said the initiative would significantly expand economic opportunities for the state, particularly for young people, farmers, entrepreneurs, and the informal sector.

“By embracing AfCFTA at the sub-national level, Oyo State has become a beacon of resilience, competitiveness, job creation, and shared prosperity,” Mene stated.

The event, held at the University of Ibadan’s International Conference Centre, marked a historic milestone, with Oyo State becoming the first sub-national government in Africa to develop and adopt an official implementation plan for the free trade agreement.

Mene emphasized that the AfCFTA is not a distant or abstract policy, but a present-day opportunity that requires visionary leadership and practical steps at all levels of governance.

“This launch is not just symbolic. It is a clear indication that Governor Makinde understands that AfCFTA must be operationalized locally to deliver real benefits,” he said.

“The AfCFTA Secretariat stands ready to support Oyo State in ensuring that this strategy becomes a living, working model.”

According to Mene, Oyo State’s proactive approach will not only increase its trade volume but will also position it as a key player in regional trade, with the potential to attract investments and create sustainable livelihoods across multiple sectors.

He highlighted the potential impact on youth employment, agriculture, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship, noting that the AfCFTA offers access to a single African market of 1.4 billion people.

“This strategy will unleash prosperity for youth, farmers, SMEs, and manufacturers. It is a bold and strategic move,” Mene said.

He also praised Governor Seyi Makinde’s foresight in initiating the development of the implementation strategy, calling it a testament to leadership that sees trade not just as policy, but as a tool for development.

“This is how transformative change begins—not at the national level alone, but with committed states that understand the power of economic alignment and competitiveness,” he added.

In his address, Acting Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, who represented Governor Makinde at the event, said the strategy signals the state’s readiness to play an active role in Africa’s economic future.

“As of today, no other sub-national entity in Nigeria or Africa has formally adopted a domestic strategy to operationalise the AfCFTA Agreement. Oyo State is the first of 591 sub-nationals on the continent to do so,” Lawal stated.

He described the initiative as a practical move to align state-level economic development plans with continental trade objectives.

Lawal also addressed questions around legality, asserting that while trade treaties are negotiated by the Federal Government, states have a critical role in preparing their internal systems, such as infrastructure, regulations, and investment incentives to benefit from such agreements.

“This is about domestic readiness, not foreign policy. It’s about aligning our economy for global competitiveness,” he said.

Lawal outlined the expected benefits of the strategy across the short, medium, and long term, including improving export readiness of SMEs, attracting investment, boosting trade logistics, and reducing poverty through inclusive economic growth.

In his Goodwill message, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo, called the strategy “a bold step forward,” and praised Oyo State’s courage and foresight.

“This is more than a policy document—it is a statement that Oyo State is not only ready to participate in Africa’s economic future, but to help shape it,” Bazivamo said.

Also echoed his counterpart Goodwill message, Sierra Leone’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Major-General Dauda Fred Alpha, also pledged his country’s support for the initiative, noting that the strategy would unlock massive economic potential for the region.

In her remarks, Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on International Trade and AfCFTA, Ms. Neo Theodore Tlhaselo, described the strategy as a significant step toward inclusive and sustainable growth.

She noted that the implementation plan is built around five core pillars: productive capacity and value chain development; trade facilitation and infrastructure; market access and export readiness; finance and investment mobilisation; and institutional monitoring and evaluation.

“This is a call to action. Oyo State is not only open for business, but ready to lead Africa’s economic transformation,” Tlhaselo said.

With support from the AfCFTA Secretariat and development partners, Oyo State is expected to begin rolling out the strategy’s key programs, which include SME training, export certification support, and investment promotion in agriculture, manufacturing, and the creative economy.

The launch was attended by high-level dignitaries including top AfCFTA officials, representatives from the African Development Bank, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, and traditional and political leaders from across Oyo State and the Federal Government.