Evidence-Based Review of the Compatibility of Nigeria’s National Gender, Economic Empowerment, and Trade Policies with the AFCFTA Agreement and the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade

Abstract

Nigeria's informal cross-border trade (ICBT) is heavily dominated by women, yet national policy architectures remain structurally fragmented. While the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade (PWYT) creates legally binding obligations to protect and empower these traders, Nigeria's domestic response operates in silos. Gender policies lack trade-related enforcement teeth, and trade policies remain structurally gender-blind. This comprehensive review and policy brief identifies critical policy misalignments, evaluates regulatory compatibility, and outlines the urgent strategic interventions required to protect cross-border women traders and formalize their role in the single African market.