FG mustalign trade, industrial policies to leverage AGOA extension, China tariff shift
Nigeria must strategically leverage the recent AGOA extension and China's zero-tariff policy by aligning foreign, trade, and industrial policies to convert market access into durable economic gains. The US extended AGOA only through December 31, 2025, while China offers zero tariffs from May 1 for 53 African countries. This creates urgency for Nigeria to move beyond passive approaches and treat trade as a core instrument of national strategy. Key actions include: identifying sectors like agro-processing and light manufacturing best positioned for new markets, building institutional coordination among ministries, and focusing on value-added exports rather than raw commodities. Nigeria's AfCFTA progress (gazetting tariff concessions, hosting AfCFTA Secretariat) provides a foundation, but must be integrated with trade statecraft to ensure firms can actually access markets and scale production. The temporary AGOA extension offers relief but lacks medium-term predictability, while China's tariff shift tests African export competitiveness. Nigeria's response should prioritize institutional readiness, sectoral discipline, and intra-African trade strengthening to reduce dependence on external powers.