In a bold move to cement its role as a continental economic powerhouse, Nigeria has unveiled the African Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja, an ambitious pan-African initiative designed to supercharge intra-African trade, unlock investment flows, and deepen regional integration.
The launch of the AATC marks a watershed moment not just for Nigeria but for the entire continent, signaling a new era of African-led economic cooperation.
Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement indicated that the the Abuja-based hub positioned as the nerve center for trade intelligence, innovation, and market integration, is the first of several planned by Afreximbank, with future locations slated for Cairo, Harare, Kampala, and Yaoundé.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, called the center “a beacon of economic transformation,” emphasizing its potential to diversify Nigeria’s economy, empower women-led businesses, and support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in accessing finance and new markets.
“The African Trade Centre isn’t just a building—it’s a strategic platform to reshape Africa’s economic destiny,” Senator Akume stated.
Wale Edun, Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, echoed the same sentiment, calling the AATC a cornerstone of the Tinubu administration’s broader economic reform agenda, which prioritizes macroeconomic stability, private sector investment, and industrial revitalization.
Afreximbank President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, underscored the centre’s transformative mission to dismantle long-standing trade barriers, enabling Africa to trade more with itself and less with distant partners.
“The Abuja Trade Centre is a tangible expression of our vision to integrate Africa’s markets and unleash the full power of African enterprise,” Oramah declared.
As operations begin, stakeholders across the continent are watching closely. With Nigeria now firmly at the helm of Africa’s trade future, the AATC is expected to fuel a new wave of sustainable development, job creation, and regional prosperity.
In a time of global economic uncertainty, Nigeria is betting on African unity, and currently, that bet has started to pay off.
