Oyo State is set to make history as Governor Seyi Makinde prepares to officially launch the state’s African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation Strategy on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the University of Ibadan. This landmark event positions Oyo as the first sub-national entity in Nigeria—and one of the first in Africa—to domesticate and operationalize the AfCFTA framework.
The unveiling ceremony will bring together high-level dignitaries including the Secretary General of the AfCFTA, His Excellency Wamkele Mene, representatives from the African Union, officials from Nigeria’s Federal Government, and key stakeholders from across the continent.
“This programme will improve trade and the economy of the state, aligning with AfCFTA’s vision to make Africa a global economic hub,” said Neo Theodore-Tlhaselo, Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on International Trade and AfCFTA.
The AfCFTA, established in 2018 and operational since 2021, is the world’s largest free trade agreement by number of participating countries, uniting 54 African nations into a single market of over 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP exceeding $3.4 trillion. While Nigeria signed the agreement in 2019, Oyo’s proactive approach marks a significant shift in sub-national engagement with the continental framework.
The Oyo AfCFTA Strategy Document, to be unveiled at the event, outlines a comprehensive roadmap for boosting intra-African trade, attracting investment, and empowering local businesses—especially SMEs—to compete on a regional scale.