Resource centre

With the global COVID-19 pandemic came the need for local manufacturers to step up to the challenge and produce face masks, face shields, and PPEs due to dwindling supplies caused by high demand the world over. The support provided by government agencies to these entrepreneurs was critical, this in turn was derived from the technical advice supplied by the PDF Bridge programme under the Trade Policy Workstream through dialogues, studies, and roundtable events. The workstream focuses on non-oil exports by bringing underrepresented voices into economic policy and strengthening the participation of exporter groups in trade. The workstream engaged with representatives of Abia State Government during its dialogues particularly with the Director-General of the Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency (ASMQMA). This engagement led to increased capacity and redirection of strategy for the Aba Textile cluster in the production and distribution of finished goods. With help from the State Government’s agency on quality and standardization, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency (ASMQMA), tailors generated an estimated $4-5million for the Nigerian economy from Abia State alone from the production of PPEs. This created a 110% increase in tailoring personnel.

Against a backdrop of falling oil prices, the Nigerian government has woken up to its economic vulnerability to oil-related disruptions. This underscores the need for diversification to non-oil exports. PDF Bridge supported the drive towards growing non-oil export by supporting under-represented non-oil exporters through three strands of work: strengthening Nigeria’s ability to trade beyond its borders through the Network of Practicing Non-Oil Exporters of Nigeria (NPNEN), an export mentorship programme, which links experienced exporters with new and growing export businesses; and training sessions for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) intending to export non-oil goods were held on; Market Entry Strategies, Understanding export documentation, Raising Finance for Export, Branding, and packaging for export. In addition, Roundtables were held on;

• Addressing Barriers to Access to Foreign Markets – An analysis of Spices & Herbs, Textiles & Garments, and Leather Products;
• Analysis and Impact of Export Expansion Grant on Export Potential, Market Access and Export Competitiveness in Nigeria;
• Improving Market Access through Digital Trade and;
• Analysis of Potentials of Nigeria’s Services Sector for Economic Diversification, Employment and Foreign Trade;
• Diversification and Non-oil Export Opportunities for Nigeria States Post-COVID19 Study