African Continental Free Trade Agreement: the Pros and Cons on the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Nigeria has oil and gas as her major source of revenue, accounting for more than 80% of her foreign exchange, with the AfCFTA, that has been signed and ratified not just by Nigeria but by other African countries taking away tariffs on goods and services produced across the continent irrespective of the market where it's been sold. The AfCFTA being the second largest free trade agreement in the history of World Trade Organization is aimed at uniting African markets. This paper aims to review the framework of the continental free trade agreement, it pros and cons, its grey area, and its impact on the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria. The impact of the agreement on the local industries servicing the oil and gas industry is considered as well. The paper reviews the possible advantage of the AfCFTA on the Nigerian oil and gas market. The possible threats to nationalization in the oil and gas industry due to the availability of cheap labour and technical expertise across the continent in the country is analyzed. Solutions to protect the oil and gas industry in Nigeria is recommended as well.