ABUJA, Nigeria, 29 June 2026 – The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have convened the HerAfCFTA Regional Conference alongside the 2026 African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers Meeting, bringing together African leaders, trade ministers, policymakers, women entrepreneurs, private sector executives, financial institutions, development partners, and regional organizations to strengthen women’s economic participation across the continent.
The conference comes as Africa marks five years since the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), one of the world’s largest free trade agreements. Covering a market of more than 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP exceeding US$3 trillion, AfCFTA continues to create new opportunities for intra-African trade, industrialization, regional value chains, and sustainable economic growth.
Participants emphasized that while significant policy progress has been achieved, the next phase of AfCFTA requires practical action to improve productive capacity, increase market access, attract investment, and enable African businesses—particularly women-led enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—to compete successfully across regional markets.
The high-level conference is being hosted by United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, together with Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat. The gathering aims to strengthen partnerships, showcase practical trade solutions, and identify strategies that will expand women’s participation in regional value chains and cross-border commerce.
Nigeria’s role in the discussions reflects its position as one of Africa’s largest economies and a leading centre for entrepreneurship, innovation, and enterprise development. Organizers noted that the country’s growing business ecosystem places it in a strong position to demonstrate how trade, investment, and innovation can support industrialization, job creation, and sustainable development across Africa.
The conference features participation from Trade Ministers representing Ghana, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside senior government officials, development finance institutions, investors, business leaders, women entrepreneurs, and regional organizations committed to advancing inclusive trade.
Among the senior Nigerian government officials expected to participate are:
- Honourable Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Federal Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development.
- Honourable Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Honourable Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, Federal Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
Key discussions throughout the conference focus on expanding women’s participation in regional value chains, improving access to finance and international markets, strengthening export competitiveness, and building strategic partnerships that enable women-owned businesses to scale their operations across Africa.
The event also builds on HerAfCFTA, UNDP’s flagship initiative launched in 2023 to promote women’s economic empowerment through trade, investment, and enterprise development. In Nigeria, the initiative supports women entrepreneurs by improving export readiness, facilitating market access, connecting businesses with investment opportunities, and creating a more inclusive trading environment.
By bringing together governments, private sector leaders, investors, and development partners, the HerAfCFTA Regional Conference 2026 seeks to transform the opportunities created by AfCFTA into tangible economic outcomes. Organizers believe stronger partnerships and greater investment in women-led businesses will contribute to resilient regional value chains, quality job creation, and more inclusive economic growth across Africa.
Follow Afrikeye for More News.
