By Tony Ezike
Anambra’s bustling commercial hubs may soon gain access to wider continental opportunities as Deputy Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2025 Anambra election, Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, has pledged to harness the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for the benefit of local traders.
Speaking to stakeholders and business leaders in Abuja, Ekwunife said her joint ticket with Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu would prioritize policies that connect Anambra’s entrepreneurs to Africa’s $3.4 trillion market.
“Anambra is renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and bustling markets. With AfCFTA, we have an unprecedented opportunity to link our traders to vast African markets, reduce barriers, and boost exports,” she stated.
The AfCFTA, already signed by 54 African countries, covers a population of over 1.3 billion people and is projected to raise intra-African trade from the current 18% to more than 50% by 2030, according to African Union estimates.
Ekwunife rolled out a series of initiatives designed to place Anambra traders at the heart of continental commerce. These include:
Establishing a trade facilitation office in Anambra to guide businesses on AfCFTA opportunities.
Upgrading Onitsha Main Market and Nnewi Spare Parts Market with digital infrastructure and logistics hubs.
Setting up export finance schemes and training programs to help SMEs meet international standards.
She further pledged targeted support for agriculture, manufacturing, and electronics, highlighting yam farmers, spare parts dealers, and electronics merchants as priority beneficiaries.
The announcement has stirred excitement in Onitsha, Nnewi, and Awka business communities, where traders believe the move could unlock long-awaited access to continental markets.
With Anambra widely recognized as a powerhouse of trade and commerce in southeastern Nigeria, home to Africa’s largest open-air markets, observers say the state is strategically positioned to benefit from AfCFTA if backed by enabling policies.
