Nigeria is intensifying preparations for the 14th World Trade Organization, WTO, Ministerial Conference, as the Federal Government moves to strengthen its trade strategy and continental influence.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, at the first quarter meeting of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee held in Abuja, revealed that Nigeria has coordinated a whole-of-country approach to articulate clear national positions on critical issues such as e-commerce, investment facilitation, and agriculture ahead of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon.

The Minister explained that the Central Coordination Committee is aligning AfCFTA implementation with Nigeria’s national development priorities to ensure measurable and accountable progress in the lead-up to MC14.

She also highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in driving digital trade and export promotion initiatives across the six geopolitical zones. The Minister maintained that the government remains committed to sustaining economic stability while strengthening engagement within the African Union framework.

According to her, African Ministers of Trade are working to harmonize AfCFTA objectives with ongoing WTO reform discussions and development priorities, a move aimed at boosting Africa’s collective bargaining power globally.

Minister Oduwole said Nigeria will deepen stakeholder engagement and promote evidence-based policymaking, with emphasis on logistics, trade finance, and market intelligence as key enablers of economic transformation by 2026.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to play a strategic role in advancing trade reform efforts that will deliver sustainable growth and stronger regional integration.