Programme Details

Nigeria is a signatory to several migration-related regional agreements, including the ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the African Union Free Movement of Persons Protocol. The free movement of persons is a key pillar of regional trade and integration as it facilitates intra-African trade in goods and services and industrialization.

The pattern and composition of African trade has several notable features. First, formal trade between African countries amounts to only 15% of total African trade. Secondly, informal cross-border trade is important, averaging about 40% of GDP in many African countries. Thirdly, the composition of African exports is dominated by primary commodities, which account for about 70% of total exports. Fourthly, manufactured goods accounts for a higher share of intra-African exports than primary commodities. Multiple studies have shown that the effective implementation of AfCFTA and free movement of persons could significantly boost intra-African trade with benefits accruing to micro, small and medium enterprise (MSMEs) as well as women and youth entrepreneurs. LADI will deliver training and capacity building programs targeted at cross-border traders and MSME exporters.

LADI will collaborate with the ECOWAS, African Union in organizing policy dialogue and events aimed at the effective implementation of the AfCFTA. LADI will engage with business membership organisations (BMOs) at national and regional levels to equip African micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with resources to benefit from intra-African trade.