THE IMPACT OF AfCFTA ON WOMEN'S BUSINESSES IN NIGERIA

 The validation meeting for the research by AWNA - Nigeria Chapter (African Women's Network on AfCFTA), was held at the office of  FES (Friedrich Ebert Stiftung), Abuja, 27th October 2025. I am a member of the Executive of AWNA, which was launched in 2003  (See for example - dayokusa.blogspot.com/2023/07/african-women-network-on-afcfta-awna.html...). AWNA is currently in 31 countries in Africa. Paul Obi was the Lead Researcher while Jennifer Stephanie was the Research Assistant in Abuja. The Reviewers were:

*Mrs. Blessing Irabor-Oza (a.k.a. Lady B) - President Organisation of Women in Trade (OWIT - Nigeria)

*Prof. Ngozi Egbuna - Economist/Former DG West African Monetary Institute/WTO Chair for Africa

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Gender & Peacebuilding Consultant & Former Director, Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja

Some of the other participants are:

*Dr. Sam Amadi - Director, Abuja School of Social & Political Thought

*Halima Musa - Feminism Lab

*Hashim Bacha - National Office for Trade Negotiation - NOTN, Abuja

L-R: Mrs. Blessing Irabor-Oza (President OWIT - Nigeria), Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa (Member of AWNA - Nigeria Executive), Hauwa Mustapha (President AWNA - Nigeria)

The Study Report:

Purposive sampling strategy employed. Some of the findings are: Lack of access to credit, restrictive Customs regulations/high duties, gender discrimination, unfavourable market regulatory rules, trade/non-trade barriers, low level of support for women-led enterprises, women generally are not as tech-saavy as their male counterparts and there's a dearth of measurable/contextual analysis of women's issues. Women as SMSEs excel in the following sectors among others: agriculture, creative industry (fashion, music, textiles), etc. NACIMMA, OWIT and a number of women-led enterprises were contacted/interviewed. 

The data collection methods were: KII (Key Individual Informant), FGD (Focus Group Discussion), Desk Review, etc.

Findings: Because women-led MSMEs are in the informal sector, they cannot take full advantage of regional opportunities like AfCFTA. Many women-led enterprises struggle to survive, while being challenged by rather poor book-keeping processes. 40% of the sample of women are in the food/beverage and furniture/wood work trade. They usually have nine or fewer employees. However, some have as many as 10 to 49 employees. 80% of the sample say that AfCTFA has had no inpact on them. The bulk of trading is at the borders. 

The cost of transportation is astronomically high. There's limited access to finance - feminisation of poverty. Inflation and financial exclusion are other negative factors. There are also safety concerns for women. There's a suffeit of gender-based policies. Technology is at the heart of trade. The high cost of digital tools ensures the exclusion of women. Poor internet connection is another barrier. The impact of AfCFA on women entrepreneurs remains limited for now due to lack of awareness and limited access to new markets. The are few with regional access/engagement. 

Recommendations:

-Finacial incusion and digital empowerment programmes should be intensified for women entrepreneurs.

-Women's access to finance should be enhanced.

-Women should be tutored in export-readiness

-Gender should be mainstreamed into AfCFTA institutions

-Safe trade should be emphasised

-Logistics cost should be reduced

-Grievance mechanisms (e.g. Alternative Dispute Resolution - ADR), short of going to Court should be explored

-The 12 products in AfCFTA for women and youth need to be explored and effectively utilised

-Immigration officials at the borders need to de proficient in languages of congruents states

-ECOWAS/ETLS agents should stop ripping women off.

-Women need continuous education about the minimum standards for the importation of products

-Some women pay at least 75 taxes. Multiple taxation should be interrogated

-Policies for cross-border trade should be gender-sensitive

-There should be continuous training in digital trade

-Institutional collaboration is essential - AfCFTA Coordinating Office/AfCFTA Office in the Ministry of Trade/Nigeria Office of Trade Negotiation (NOTN)

-Could MSMEs transform from informal to semi-formal trade for the purpose of having effective interface with AfCFTA and other regional bodies?

-Intergenerational mentoring among women entrepreneurs is crucial

-We should concentrate on AfCFTA Category A because 80% of women-led MSMEs are at this level

The lead researcher was commended for a job well done. We eagerly look forward to the publication of the book, while taking cognisance of all the necessary amendments in the light of the critique of the research (findings, methodology, etc.) at the validation meeting... 

-