This archive report was first published on 7 July 2019.
On July 7, 2019, Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement at the 12th Extra Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government in Niamey, Niger Republic.
The signing fulfilled a promise made by President Buhari earlier in the week, as tweeted by the presidency on Tuesday, July 2, 2019: "Nigeria will sign the #AfCFTA Agreement at the upcoming Extraordinary Summit of the African Union in Niamey, Niger."
Nigeria had been a key backer of the AfCFTA plan since talks began in 2002, but had initially changed course in 2018 following pressure from local unions and businesses.
However, a special government panel formed to study the potential impact of joining AfCFTA recommended that President Buhari sign Nigeria up, which he did on July 7, 2019.
Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), welcomed the decision, stating that Nigeria signing the AfCFTA agreement would not expose it to economic or social hazards, as the agreement has safeguards against smuggling, dumping, and other risks.
