The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and other stakeholders have pledged support for the 2026 African Continental Free Trade Area Festival (ACFTA Fest).
They made the commitments at the official launch of the ACFTA Fest on Friday in Abuja.
Dr Ifeoma Ezike, Assistant Director, Monetary Policy Department, CBN, expressed optimism about Nigeria’s growth potential and development, adding that Nigeria has the potential to be a great nation.
“On behalf of the CBN, I congratulate the organisers and I want to reiterate the unwavering support of the bank in collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that the protocol, agenda, dream and objective of the actors are realised,” she said.
Ezike said the CBN would support the initiative to realise its objectives and maximise opportunities that had not been fully utilised in the past.
President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Mr Emeka Obegolu (SAN), said the chamber was pleased to associate with the launch of ACFTA Fest 2026.
Obegolu, represented by ACCI Vice-President (Legal), Aisha Abdullahi, described the festival as a pan-African platform designed to promote trade, innovation, culture and continental collaboration.
According to him, the initiative resonates strongly with the ACCI’s mandate as the leading voice of the private sector in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nigeria.
“This festival reflects the spirit of the African Continental Free Trade Area by bringing together entrepreneurs, creatives and institutions on one platform to drive intra-African trade and collaboration.
“Platforms like this are important because they move conversations from policy to action.
“We applaud your commitment to positioning Nigeria as a hub for Pan-African trade engagement and creative exchange.
“We assure you of ACCI’s continued support for initiatives that foster private sector-led growth, regional integration and sustainable development,” he said.
Similarly, the Director-General of NCAC, Mr Obi Asika, represented by Dr Bashir Hamisu, said the council had much to contribute to the festival’s success.
He added that evolving cultural opportunities would enable participants to generate income from their talents and skills.
Project Team Lead, Ahmed Usman, said Nigeria would benefit significantly from hosting the festival scheduled for March 26 to March 28.
Usman said the event would position Nigeria as a hub for investors, traders and creative industries across Africa.
“We are going to showcase legacy projects, young youth who have training centres, start-up hubs, sports facilities, host events, interviews. All these are the benefits that come to the host country.
“Entrepreneurs will have access to funding, mentorship and partnership. There’s going to be continental exposure to all these startups.
“We’re going to bring opportunity, informal strategy and joint venture partnership across borders. Legends will be connected to the upcoming players, both male and female.
“We want to support diplomacy, promote peace and unity through sports, and then able to create an area for long-term support for footballers by creating infrastructure for development,” he said.
He said events would hold at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Arts and Craft Village and Moshood Abiola International Stadium.
Usman listed activities to include exhibitions, masterclasses, fashion runway, youth clinics, tournaments, performances and the African Legends United Match.
Cameroonian football legend Eyond Enoh, Dr Dion Amby, Itodo Thomas of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and others also pledged support for the project.
