SEREC Calls For Stakeholder Engagement In AfCFTA Implementation, Questions Nigeria’s Preparedness

SEREC Calls For Stakeholder Engagement In AfCFTA Implementation, Questions Nigeria’s Preparedness

Dr. Eugene Nweke,Head, Research,SEREC

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has raised alarm over the limited involvement and inadequate flow of information to Nigerian stakeholders, particularly within the transport, maritime, and trade sectors, regarding the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In a bulletin signed by Dr. Eugene Nweke, Head of Research at SEREC, the organization expressed deep concern over what it described as Nigeria’s “low-level stakeholder sensitization” in the AfCFTA process. SEREC urged the government to act swiftly to address glaring gaps and ensure that Nigerian businesses and institutions are not left behind.

Key Resolutions from African Transport Ministers

Drawing attention to recent deliberations of the Specialized Technical Committee on Transport, Transcontinental and Interregional Infrastructure, and Energy, SEREC highlighted the committee’s ambitious plans to bridge Africa’s infrastructure deficit. These include the development of between 60,000km and 100,000km of new road networks by 2030 to facilitate intercontinental trade and reduce transportation costs—considered a major barrier to intra-African commerce.

However, the bulletin warned that the pace of infrastructure development is failing to keep up with the growing demands of African economies, affecting competitiveness and global trade participation.

PIDA-PAP2 and Persistent Infrastructure Gaps

SEREC also referenced the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), specifically its second Priority Action Plan (PIDA-PAP2), which outlines 69 major infrastructure projects estimated at over $160 billion over a ten-year period. Alarmingly, it noted that half of the previous PIDA-PAP1 projects never made it to the construction phase, while 30% stalled at the feasibility level.

Despite these setbacks, some progress has been made, including the construction of 16,066 kilometers of roads and 4,077 kilometers of railways. In the energy sector, over 3,500 kilometers of transmission lines have been completed, leading to the generation of 232 GW of electricity.

Emerging Challenges and External Disruptions

SEREC pointed out that, in addition to internal challenges—such as inadequate policy, regulatory bottlenecks, and weak capacity—new external threats like climate change, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Iran-Israel conflict, and global supply chain disruptions continue to impact project execution.

Questions for the Nigerian Government

In its communiqué, SEREC posed a series of critical questions to the Nigerian government and stakeholders:

What tangible benefits has Nigeria derived from the PIDA-PAP1 and PIDA-PAP2 projects?

What strategies has the government put in place to harmonize efforts and accelerate implementation?

Are there frameworks to facilitate public-private partnerships (PPP) and empower the private sector?

What steps are being taken to develop “Freight Places” or specialized market infrastructure along Nigeria’s border corridors?
Recommendations and the Way Forward

SEREC offered strategic recommendations to reposition Nigeria in the AfCFTA journey. These include:

Creating a national coordination desk for AfCFTA-related activities.

Drafting a comprehensive policy to foster PPP and private sector involvement.

Scaling up investment in infrastructure, particularly in interstate and rural connectivity.

Promoting the establishment of border-based “Freight Places” to serve as hubs for consolidation, packaging, labeling, and logistics.
Conclusion
SEREC emphasized that Nigeria must take proactive steps to harness the full benefits of AfCFTA. “This is a call to action,” Dr. Nweke stated. “The AfCFTA is not just a trade agreement; it is an economic awakening for the continent. Nigeria must lead from the front—not from the sidelines.”

The research center urged all relevant ministries, private sector players, and civil society to push for transparency and inclusivity in AfCFTA implementation, warning that failure to do so could undermine Nigeria’s competitiveness in the emerging continental market.