TRADE (EEC PREFERENCES UNDER THE LOME CONVENTION) ACT

An Act implements Nigeria's trade preferences with the European Economic Community under the Lome Convention, providing preferential market access for exports. It targets Nigerian exporters and trade authorities. This enables better access to the EU market through reduced duties.

What Is This Policy?

An Act giving domestic legal effect to Nigeria's trade preference arrangements with the European Economic Community (EEC) under the Lome Convention, which provided preferential market access for Nigerian exports.

Who Does It Target?

Nigerian exporters benefiting from EU trade preferences The Federal Ministry of Trade Nigeria Customs Service European Union importers of Nigerian goods

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Implement Nigeria's Lome Convention trade preferences into domestic law, enabling Nigerian exporters to access the EU market under preferential duty rates.

Key Features

Preference Implementation: Gives legal effect to the preferential trade terms in the Lome Convention. Originating Goods: Only goods of Nigerian origin benefit from the preferences. Certificate of Origin: Nigerian exporters must obtain origin certificates to claim preferences. EU Cooperation: Part of the broader ACP-EU development cooperation framework.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active (Lome succeeded by Cotonou Agreement 2000 and EU-ECOWAS EPA) Coverage: Nigerian exports to EU markets Beneficiaries: Nigerian exporters to EU markets Funding: Not applicable

How to Access

Export to EU: obtain Certificate of Origin from Nigeria Customs or Chamber of Commerce Verify current preference schedule under the EU-ECOWAS Economic Partnership Agreement Application method: Engage NCS or NEPC for current EU trade preferences.

Important Terms

The Lome Convention has been replaced by the Cotonou Agreement and the EU-ECOWAS EPA The current framework for EU trade preferences is the EPA — not the original Lome terms NEPC advises exporters on accessing EU market preferences

Official Resources

Website: https://www.nepc.gov.ng Contact: Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)

Legal Framework

Enacted under the legislative powers of the National Assembly to give domestic effect to Nigeria's trade preferences under the Lome Convention with the European Economic Community. Now largely superseded by the Cotonou Agreement (2000) and negotiations under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) framework. Operates alongside the Customs and Excise Management Act, the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, and Nigeria's WTO obligations.