EFFECT OF AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (AfCFTA) ON ECOWAS AGRICULTURAL TRADE: IMPLICATION ON NIGERIA AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

Abstract

The study examined the effect of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) on ECOWAS Agricultural Trade: Implication on Nigeria Agricultural sector is pertinent. Specifically, it described pattern of ECOWAS agricultural imports and exports within its bloc pre and post AfCFTA, described pattern of ECOWAS agricultural imports and exports with other African blocs pre and post AfCFTA, identified trade intensity index of ECOWAS Agricultural sector to draw AfCFTA effects on Nigeria agricultural sector. Data were collected from secondary sources.  and analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics such as percentages, graphs, pie-charts, bar-charts and  trade intensity index (TII).The result on Pattern of ECOWAS agricultural imports within its bloc  pre and post AfCFTA showed that the highest imports within ECOWAS bloc on cereals products was done by Senegal at $264,237, while the least was done by Togo at $291 pre-AfCFTA while post-AfCFTA Ghana was highest importer of cereals at $34,067 while  Cape Verde imports the least ($11) of cereals. On the other hand, Guinea was the major ($10,717) importer of live animal within ECOWAS bloc pre AfCFTA. Also, post AfCFTA, Guinea remains the major ($48,906) importer of live animal within the ECOWAS market while the least imported value came from Nigeria. Results on Pattern of agricultural export trade within its bloc pre and post AfCFTA showed that export of cereals and live animal within ECOWAS region showed that Senegal had the highest export value of cereal ($156650) pre AfCFTA while Guinea Bissau, Cape vade, had $0 export values while Nigeria has $616 within ECOWAS bloc. Post AfCFTA, Senegal was the highest ($168009) exporter with little increase in the value. Pattern of ECOWAS agricultural imports with other African trade blocs pre and post AfCFTA, as showen in Figure1 indicated SADC as the highest importer in both cereals and live animal pre and post AfCFTA while ECCAS had the least pre and post AfCFTA. Trade intensity index of ECOWAS agricultural trade for live animal and cereals products imported within 2019-2023 was 6.769, while on export was5. 868.Among all, the study recommends policy alignment, capacity building, infrastructural development, research development, and private sector engagement are crucial for Nigeria to maximize the benefits of the AfCFTA in the agricultural sector.The study recommends that ECOWAS should continue to strengthen regional trade agreements and tariff reductions to facilitate intra-regional trade and reduce reliance on external imports.