By SCM Staff Writer
ABUJA — Nigeria has formally joined the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Programme, a strategic move aimed at enhancing the country’s trade competitiveness, promoting export diversification, and strengthening priority value chains.
The AATB Membership Agreement was signed in Abuja on the sidelines of the 5th AATB Board of Governors Meeting, solidifying a partnership expected to unlock significant opportunities for trade-led development.
Strategic Partnership Framework
The agreement was signed by H.E. Mr. Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Eng. Adeeb Y. Al Aama, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and AATB Program Secretary General.
The accord establishes a strategic and operational framework to support Nigeria’s national development priorities. Key areas of collaboration will include:
Trade Promotion and Facilitation.
Agribusiness Modernisation.
SME Development.
Improving Logistics Efficiency and Digital Trade Readiness.
Capacity-building efforts.
Speaking at the Agribusiness Matchmaking Forum ahead of the meeting, Minister Edun called for deeper trade collaboration between African and Arab nations, emphasising the critical need for value-added Agribusiness and industrial partnerships for regional growth.
He stressed that a shifting global economy makes it essential for African and Arab nations to rely more on regional cooperation, investment, and shared markets.
Minister Edun highlighted projections suggesting Arab-Africa trade could grow by more than US$37 billion in the next three years, urging partners to prioritise value addition over raw commodity exports.
He noted that Nigeria’s expanding industrial base and upcoming National Single Window reforms will bolster efficiency and attract private-sector investment.
”This is a moment to turn opportunity into action,” Edun stated. “By working together, we can build stronger value chains, create jobs and support prosperity across our regions.”
Nigeria’s Dynamic Economic Potential
Eng. Adeeb Y. Al Aama, the AATB Program Secretary General, warmly welcomed Nigeria into the programme.
“Nigeria stands as one of Africa’s most dynamic and resilient economies, with a rapidly expanding private sector and strong potential across agribusiness, energy, manufacturing, and digital industries,” Al Aama said.
He confirmed that the AATB looks forward to working closely with Nigerian institutions to strengthen value chains, expand regional market access, and enhance trade finance and investment opportunities.
Nigeria’s accession extends the AATB Programme’s presence and adds a vital partner to its evolving portfolio of initiatives, which includes the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) Programme and efforts supporting export readiness under the AfCFTA framework.
