African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) And Non-Oil Exports In Nigeria: Opportunities, Challenges And Policy Reforms By Elohor Benedicta Omughele
Nigeria’s leading export, and its main source of national revenue, is crude oil. In 2023, crude oil exports reached about N29 trillion, accounting for about 81% of the country’s total export value (National Bureau of Statistics, 2024). This dependence places Nigeria in a vulnerable position, as fluctuations in oil prices have a direct effect on revenue and can destabilise the economy (IMF, 2023). In contrast, agriculture contributed only 5.73% of total exports, while other oil products contribute 16.87% (NBS, 2024). Recent figures, however, show progress in diversification. Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose to 3.2 billion dollars in the first half of 2025(Nigerian Export Promotion Council, 2025). Products such as cocoa beans, fertiliser, and cashew nuts dominated this growth, with cocoa alone representing about 35% of total export value. These results reflect the government’s efforts to move the economy away from crude oil, which continues to provide about two-thirds of state income and around 80% of foreign currency earnings (World Bank, 2024).
Duaa Khalid Hassan: Africa’s Legal Millennial
Duaa Khalid Hassan has over a decade of experience in corporate, banking, and financial law, and in-depth expertise in contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, due diligence, and dispute resolution. She is known for her strategic insight and commitment to excellence, including a proven record of delivering effective legal solutions for major financial institutions, multinational corporations, and airlines.
Samuel Frank Matinou: Africa’s Legal Millennial
Samuel Frank Matinou is a Cameroonian Lawyer with a Master’s degree in European Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence, jointly awarded by Dublin City University in Ireland, the Università di Pisa in Italy, and Avignon Université in France. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Institute of Legal Practice and Development in Kigali, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Kigali, Rwanda.
Albert M. Agyepong: Africa’s Legal Millennial
Albert M. Agyepong is a corporate lawyer and legal academic based in Accra, Ghana. He holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School and law degrees from Ghana and The Gambia. He is admitted to practice in Ghana and The Gambia and is awaiting admission to the New York bar.
Dr. Justina Obaoye-Ajala: Africa’s Legal Millennial
Dr. Justina Kehinde Obaoye-Ajala is an internationally recognised human rights lawyer, policy expert, and transformative leader whose work spans global legal systems, international institutions, and grassroots communities. With over a decade of experience, she has established herself as a leading voice in advancing women’s rights, racial justice, and the protection of people of African descent and marginalised groups across continents.
#2 2026
We’re proud to present the No. 2, 2026 edition of The PALM, an exploration of Africa’s evolving tax landscape and the urgent questions of equity, trust, and fiscal transformation shaping the continent.
Razan Ali: Africa’s Legal Millennial
Razan Ali is a Sudanese lawyer and human rights researcher whose career sits at the intersection of international law, corporate accountability, and the pursuit of justice in conflict-affected societies. She holds two LLMs: the first in International and European Business Law from Trinity College Dublin and the second in Human Rights and Democratisation from the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Laws (LLD) programme at the University of Pretoria, where her doctoral research examines corporate complicity in atrocity crimes within the gold extractive sector during the ongoing conflict in Sudan – a body of work that places her at the frontier of one of the most urgent and underexplored areas of international legal accountability.
Africa’s Legal Millennial: Desmond Israel
esmond is a legal-tech strategist, cybersecurity expert, and AI governance advisor with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry and more than half a decade of legal practice. His unique interdisciplinary background makes him a leading figure in digital risk management, regulatory compliance, and executive capacity building across Africa and internationally.
Africa’s Legal Millennial: Dr Tebello Matsela
Dr Tebello is a qualified advocate in the High Courts of Lesotho. Her legal journey commenced in early 2015, serving as a junior advocate focused on cases involving divorces and land matters. During this period, she gained extensive experience in drafting legal documents, handling litigation, and facilitating legal resolutions
Dawit Kidane: Africa’s Legal Millennial
Dawit Kidane is the Co-founder and Principal Managing Partner of DABLO Law Firm LLP, with over 16 years of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. He is widely regarded for his deep understanding of the Ethiopian legal system, commercially oriented advice, and strong track record in high-value disputes and multi-sector advisory work.
