In 2025, Nigeria experienced a 21% increase in intra-African trade, reaching a total of $9.02 billion. This growth is attributed to the ongoing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has facilitated new export opportunities and enhanced regional commercial integration by allowing businesses to benefit from preferential market access and reduced trade barriers, according to the latest African Trade Report.

Nigeria's Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has said Nigerian goods remain competitive and in high demand across Africa. Speaking during a trade mission to Botswana with about 11 Nigerian businesses, she said one company immediately secured an order to supply 6,000 T-shirts. The minister also stated that processing of certificates under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) now takes 24 hours, highlighting efforts to boost intra-African trade.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation to promote cross-border trade and support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This renewed partnership was emphasized during a working visit by the President and Chairman of Afreximbank, according to Vanguard.

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has cautioned that Nigeria may not fully benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) despite the government's approval of a $1 billion credit facility to support exporters. The association emphasized that without necessary reforms, the potential advantages of the AfCFTA may not be realized, according to Vanguard Business.

African nations are increasingly adopting Nigeria's local content blueprint, with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) being recognized as the sole agency responsible for local content in the country. This shift reflects a broader trend of evolving from policy frameworks to institutional practices in local content development across the continent.

Tanzania's Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Dennis Londo, has pledged to remove unnecessary trade barriers and simplify investment procedures to help local industries produce competitive goods and expand into regional and global markets. He made the commitment while opening the 21st Mwanza East African Trade Fair (MEATF-2026) in Ilemela Municipality, stressing that quality products are key to accessing African markets, according to Daily News.