Nigeria resumes onion exports to Ghana after diplomatic intervention resolves trade dispute
The AfCFTA’s provisions for eliminating non-tariff barriers and resolving disputes provide a framework for addressing these challenges.
NIGERIA – Nigeria has resumed onion exports to Ghana after diplomatic intervention by officials from both countries, following reports of truck seizures and market-access issues at Accra’s Kotoku Market.
The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria lifted its export suspension in August. Nigeria exports approximately 100,000 tonnes of onions to Ghana annually, valued at around N945 billion (US$620 million).
The dispute has highlighted non-tariff barriers to agricultural trade within ECOWAS. The ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme aims to remove customs duties and non-tariff barriers on qualifying goods traded within the region. However, traders continue to face delays, documentation requirements, and market-access disputes.
For fresh produce such as onions and tomatoes, delays increase the risk of product losses and affect returns to growers and traders. International trade expert Obiora Madu said: “The real test of regional integration is not whether countries sign agreements. The real test is whether a trader can cross the border with confidence that the rules will be there when he arrives.”
The dispute comes as Nigeria expands its agricultural exports to African markets. The country’s trade with Africa was reported at approximately US$9.02 billion, with exporters seeking additional markets under the AfCFTA.
The agreement provides for the progressive elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers, together with customs and trade facilitation measures and dispute resolution mechanisms.
NOPPMAN national president Aliyu Maitasamu has called for a permanent bilateral framework between Nigeria and Ghana covering market access, offloading, and safety standards.
The resumption of onion shipments has resolved the immediate disruption, but the dispute highlights the role of border procedures, market-access rules, and enforcement in shaping how regional fresh-produce supply chains operate.
The AfCFTA’s provisions for eliminating non-tariff barriers and resolving disputes provide a framework for addressing these challenges, but their effectiveness depends on implementation at national and border levels.
Although both countries’ willingness to resolve the dispute through diplomatic channels is a positive sign, the underlying structural issues require sustained attention and investment.
In the end, the outcome of these negotiations will determine whether West African agricultural supply chains can operate effectively within existing trade agreements.
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