This post highlights the main elements of the training workshop by Africa Women Network of AfCFTA (AWNA) with support from Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES). Hauwa Mustapha is the President of AWNA-Nigeria Chapter launched in 2023 in Abuja. I am a pioneer member of AWNA-Nigeria. Jennifer Stephen is AWNA's Programme Coordinator and compere at the event, held at Nugget Hotel, Abuja on the 30th of October 2026. Please check out related posts on AWNA - dayokusa.blogspot.com/2023/07/africa-women-network-of-afcfta-awna.html; dayokusa.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-impact-of-afcfta-on-womens.html...
There were three subthemes at the Workshop:
*Understanding AfCFTA: Opportunities & challenges for wome entrepreneurs in Nigeria
*Understanding trade documentation, trade facilitation & cross-border trade procedures
*Standards certification compliance & export readiness for women in cross-border trade
There were four facilitators:
*Dr. Halima Kadiri - National Agency for Food & Drug Administration (NAFDAC)
*Chioma Chudi-Anaukwu - Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
*Lilian Egwuaba - Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
*Zahra Musa - Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
The following constitute the nitty-gritty of the interactive facilitation at the workshop:
*Nigeria signed the AfCFTA Agreement on July 7, 2019. Nigeria's Federal Executive Council (FEC) ratified the AfCFTA Agreement on November 11, 2020. The instrument of Ratification was deposited December 5, 2020. Nigeria has also ratified the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade...
*Any product for export under the umbrella of the AfCFTA must be of African origin.
*Under the AfCFTA, you pay relatively low import duty for products exported to other African countries
*There are special loans available for women (without collateral) under the AfCFTA
*Female traders who cannot speak English are covered, because there's room for translation
*There's a Digital Trade Payment Platform which eliminates extortion by middle men
*There's a Tariff Book in the Nigeria Customs Service and visa is unnecessary within ECOWAS
*Women entrepreneurs within the AfCFTA must be familiar with the procedure and specification for non-oil export. 'Export risk' is eliminated via proper documentation and conformity with export specification. All products must be certified by NAFDAC, SON, NCS, etc before leaving the shores of Nigeria. Check out www,nafdac.registration...
*Chemicals for export require further authentication because they are highly inflammable and they are in classes A, B, C & D according to the level of volatility. You need an LPO to purchase certain classes of chemicals. NAFDAC collaborates with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for the inspection and certification for export in the case of highly sensitive chemicals
*For those in the fashion and garment-making sector, traditional/ethnic wears of African origin need to be standardised into specific sizes like English wears. For example, can we standardise size 14 in 'Agbada' (flowing robe), 'Iro & Buba' (ethnic blouse & wrapper), 'Nigerian Long Skirt & Blouse', etc
There were about fifty female participants from various sectors who benefitted from the training. Many of them have indicated interest in further training. Kudos to the AWNA-Nigeria team that pulled off this impactful session...
