In a move aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s trade transparency and efficiency, the German development agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), has concluded a three-day training programme for focal persons of the Nigeria Trade Information Portal (NTIP).
The capacity-building workshop, held in Lagos, brought together representatives from various trade-regulating agencies, equipping them with the skills needed to manage, update, and promote the NTIP, Nigeria’s official online portal for trade-related information.
Designed to align with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, the NTIP serves as a one-stop platform providing step-by-step guidance on import, export, and transit procedures.
Facilitated by trade experts, the training focused on enhancing data reliability, inter-agency coordination, and improving the user experience on the portal. Participants were taken through hands-on sessions on documenting trade procedures, uploading data through the portal’s admin interface, and responding to enquiries from the public.
“This initiative is part of our ongoing support to strengthen institutional frameworks and simplify cross-border trade in West Africa,” said Bernard Tayoh, head of project, GIZ Support to the ECOWAS Commission in the Implementation of AfCFTA. “By building the capacity of those managing the NTIP, we’re helping to ensure Nigerian businesses, especially SMEs, have access to the information they need to trade efficiently.”
The NTIP is expected to play a critical role in reducing ambiguities in trade procedures, cutting processing times, and boosting compliance with international trade standards, all of which are essential for Nigeria’s active participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Representatives from agencies including the Nigeria Customs Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Shippers Council, and FMITI commended the training for its practical focus and expressed commitment to maintaining the portal as a reliable and up-to-date trade resource.
Following the workshop, focal persons are expected to implement internal action plans within their respective agencies, aimed at sustaining regular updates and promoting wider use of the portal. A roadmap was also developed to guide continued learning and user support.
Businesses and entrepreneurs can access the portal at www.nigeriatradeportal.fmiti.gov.ng to find detailed information on trade requirements.
The training was part of the Support to the ECOWAS Commission in the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ.
