Uganda and Nigeria Deepen Trade Ties with Landmark Export Agreement
Uganda and Nigeria have taken a significant step towards deepening economic cooperation following the appointment of Ani Bassey-Eyo as Uganda’s Trade Representative to Nigeria—a move aimed at accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
The appointment was swiftly followed by the signing of commitment export orders, paving the way for Uganda’s first official shipment of goods to Nigeria, marking a milestone in intra-African trade.
The agreement, formalised in December 2024, coincided with the commissioning of the Free Zones Export facility at Entebbe International Airport and the launch of Uganda’s AfCFTA Implementation Strategy—both key pillars in the country’s broader ambition to expand trade across the continent.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who presided over the signing, hailed the development as a crucial step towards economic transformation. “I am pleased to kick off the journey for the first formal exports of Ugandan products to West Africa under AfCFTA,” he said.
Museveni underscored the urgency of cross-border trade in Africa’s economic future. “As Africa awakens to its economic potential, it becomes evident that domestic markets alone are not sufficient. Expanding trade across the continent is essential for sustainable growth,” he added.
The first shipment—scheduled for early 2025—will include coffee, black and green tea, milk, fish, and pharmaceuticals. Officials describe it as a pilot consignment aimed at assessing market demand in Nigeria and setting the stage for further trade expansion.
Museveni also acknowledged Nigeria’s role in facilitating the agreement and praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for supporting Uganda’s entry into the West African market. He called on other African nations to intensify commercial ties and unlock the continent’s trade potential.
Francis Mwebesa, Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, highlighted the importance of free zones in attracting investment and generating employment. Similarly, Lynette Bagonza, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, commended the collaboration between government ministries and the private sector in shaping Uganda’s trade strategy.
Uganda sees its push into Nigeria as part of a broader vision to position itself as a regional trade hub. The country has indicated plans to expand exports to other AfCFTA member states by leveraging trade corridors and strengthening infrastructure—moves that could redefine its role in Africa’s economic landscape.
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