By Oluremi Modupe and Eso Diekolola
The Ondo State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has intensified its advocacy for value addition and competitive packaging as critical strategies for maximizing opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This position was reiterated during the AfCFTA Sensitization Seminar held on March 3, 2026, in Ondo State, where the Council was represented by the State Coordinator, Mrs. F. A. Tejumola, alongside Principal Scientific Officer, Miss Diekolola Eso.
The seminar brought together key stakeholders from federal and state government agencies, private sector operators, manufacturers, agro-processors, exporters, and business development institutions to deliberate on practical strategies for strengthening Ondo State’s participation in the continental trade framework.
In her welcome address, the State Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Florence-Ofonedu Okafor, described export promotion as a vital instrument for economic diversification in Ondo State. She emphasized strict regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and sustained capacity building for local producers as prerequisites for successful participation in intra-African trade.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Prince Ikuomola, highlighted AfCFTA’s transformative potential in expanding market access across Africa. He urged Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and agro-based industries to improve product standardization, increase production scale, and enhance competitiveness to benefit fully from the agreement.
A goodwill message on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Commerce, reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to structured and compliant participation under AfCFTA. Participants were advised to ensure NEPC registration, adhere strictly to Rules of Origin, and secure internationally recognized certifications to strengthen export readiness.
The technical session featured a presentation by Mr. Gbenga Daniel titled “Empowering Local Exporters for Continental Dominance.” The presentation provided detailed guidance on export documentation, trade facilitation procedures, certification requirements, and the use of market intelligence tools. Emphasis was placed on building sustainable value chains capable of supporting the commercialization and industrial utilization of Ondo State’s agricultural and mineral resources.
During the interactive session, representatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), SMEDAN, Ondo State Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (ONDOCCIMA), and the Ondo State Ministry of Commerce addressed questions bordering on customs procedures, export financing, certification processes, and trade compliance.
You Might AlsoLike
In her intervention, RMRDC Ondo State coordinator, Mrs. Tejumola underscored the urgency of moving beyond the export of raw materials in their primary state. She stressed that value addition through processing, improved finishing, and professional packaging significantly increases product appeal, boosts buyer confidence, and ensures compliance with international quality and safety standards. According to her, packaging is not merely aesthetic but strategic—serving as a determinant of competitiveness in the AfCFTA market space. She noted that deliberate investment in branding and packaging design would position Nigeria-made products more favourably across African markets while strengthening industrial linkages within the country.
The seminar concluded with a Business-to-Business (B2B) networking session, which facilitated direct engagement among farmers, processors, manufacturers, and export agents. The platform enabled participants to explore partnerships aimed at scaling production, enhancing commercialization, and deepening industrial utilization of locally sourced raw materials.
