President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Patience Okala as the Acting National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, reinforcing the country’s commitment to deepening its participation in continental trade.
The appointment, announced by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, places Okala at the helm of efforts to drive Nigeria’s implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a flagship initiative aimed at boosting intra-African trade and economic integration.
Mrs. Okala is widely regarded as an experienced public servant with strong institutional knowledge of Nigeria’s trade ecosystem. She has played key roles within the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, working closely on AfCFTA-related initiatives and policy coordination.
According to the Office, her elevation is expected to strengthen trade coordination, enhance stakeholder engagement, and accelerate inclusive economic growth across Nigeria and the wider African continent.
Her appointment comes at a time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to translate AfCFTA commitments into measurable economic outcomes, with increased focus on implementation, performance tracking, and private sector participation.
Observers say her leadership will be critical in positioning Nigeria to fully harness the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA framework, particularly in expanding exports, improving regional value chains, and strengthening the country’s competitiveness in African markets.