As discussions continue at Biashara Africa 2026, the summit that serves as a premier platform uniting policymakers, business leaders, financial institutions, and trade enablers to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole has announced that Nigerian entrepreneurs should take advantage of the opportunity.
The announcement was made following discussions at Biashara Afrika 2026, where the
Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Jumoke Oduwole delivered the address as the Incoming Chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers and challenged African leaders and policymakers to move beyond commitments on paper and confront real barriers limiting intra-African trade and investment.
Dr. Oduwole commends His Excellency President Faure Gnassingbé and the Government of Togo for taking decisive action that advances the spirit and objectives of the AfCFTA Agreement and reinforces Africa’s commitment to becoming a truly integrated market of over 1.4 billion people.
To support this transition from agreement to action, Dr Oduwole announces the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration Programme 2026, a flagship initiative under the AfCFTA–Korea Africa
Foundation partnership, designed to support 30 high-potential African startups to scale
beyond Africa and access global markets, especially Korea.
This programme, she said presents a valuable opportunity for Nigerian startups operating in key sectors including fintech, e-commerce, logistics, agritech, manufacturing, and digital platforms to strengthen their business models, expand internationally, and position themselves for cross-border growth.
‘The future of the AfCFTA will not be built by policy alone. It will be driven by enterprises, innovators, manufacturers, digital platforms, and entrepreneurs who are ready to trade’ she emphasized.
As Co-Champion of Digital Trade under the AfCFTA, Her Excellency, Dr Oduwole therefore encourages eligible Nigerian startups to apply and take advantage of this opportunity through SME.Support@au-afcfta.org. All application closes 24 May 2026
Dr. Oduwole noted that a significant milestone has been recorded for African economic integration – the announcement by the Government of Togo to remove visa requirements for African passport holders and investors travelling into the country for short stays is another important signal that Africa is moving from aspiration to action.
