Nigeria and Ghana have signed a landmark bilateral trade and free movement agreement in Abuja that will eliminate tariffs on 85% of goods traded between the two countries and allow citizens to live and work freely across both nations without a visa for up to 12 months.
The agreement, signed by the presidents of both countries at a ceremony attended by business leaders, traditional rulers, and diplomats, is the most significant bilateral deal between the two West African giants in decades.
Under the terms of the agreement, Nigerian and Ghanaian citizens will be able to enter each other's countries with only a national identity card, and will have the right to work, establish businesses, and access public services on equal terms with nationals. A joint border management committee will be established to facilitate smooth implementation.
On trade, the deal eliminates tariffs on agricultural products, manufactured goods, and services, with a five-year transition period for sensitive sectors including textiles and petrochemicals. The two countries have set a target of tripling bilateral trade from its current level of $3.2 billion annually to $10 billion by 2030.
Ghana's President described the agreement as "a new chapter in the story of West African integration." Nigeria's President said it was "a demonstration that Africa's two largest economies can lead by example."
The Ghanaian business community has welcomed the deal, with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce projecting that it will create over 50,000 jobs in the export sector within three years. Nigerian manufacturers have expressed some concern about competition from Ghanaian goods but acknowledged the long-term benefits of a larger market.
The agreement is expected to serve as a template for broader ECOWAS integration efforts.
