Cross-Border Trade Bottlenecks and Need for Legislative Intervention to Support Nigerian Manufacturers and AfCFTA Implementation

Abstract

Despite the formal commencement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2019, intra-African trade remains significantly below expectations, accounting for approximately 18% of total continental trade. According to concerns raised by the Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA), Nigerian manufacturers continue to face persistent structural and operational barriers that limit their competitiveness and ability to fully benefit from regional integration frameworks such as AfCFTA and ECOWAS protocols. These challenges include inefficient customs procedures, non-tariff barriers, weak transport and logistics infrastructure, limited access to trade finance, currency convertibility constraints, and poor implementation of existing trade agreements. While these barriers are not new, their combined effect continues to undermine Nigeria’s industrial and export diversification agenda. Manufacturers are often disadvantaged in regional markets due to high transaction costs, delays at borders, and inconsistent regulatory standards. As a result, intra-African trade in manufactured goods remains underdeveloped, with many firms unable to integrate into regional value chains or scale production for export competitiveness. Informal cross-border trade networks further weaken formal trade channels and reduce potential government revenue. These constraints have significant implications for Nigeria’s broader economic development objectives. They limit industrial growth, reduce export competitiveness, and reinforce dependence on raw commodity exports rather than value-added manufacturing. Without effective intervention, Nigeria risks continued marginalisation within the African continental market despite its participation in AfCFTA. The National Assembly therefore has a critical role in ensuring that trade policy commitments translate into measurable economic outcomes. Legislative oversight is necessary to strengthen implementation of AfCFTA protocols, remove structural bottlenecks, enhance accountability in trade facilitation institutions, and promote Nigeria’s industrialisation and export diversification goals. Accordingly, the National Assembly, through its Senate and House Committees on Trade, Industry and Investment, may consider the following actions: ● Convene a joint legislative hearing on AfCFTA implementation involving relevant ministries and agencies to assess progress and identify implementation gaps. ● Request a comprehensive audit of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) affecting Nigerian manufacturers from the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, demanding clear timelines for their removal or harmonisation. ● Call for the development and implementation of digital customs systems, including single-window clearance and harmonised border procedures. ● Strengthen trade facilitation infrastructure through legislative support for integrated transport corridors, logistics hubs, and cross-border trade systems. ● Ask the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to engage financial regulators and development finance institutions to expand affordable trade finance for manufacturers and exporters.