NATIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM SERVICES EXPORTS

What Is This Policy?

The National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports establishes a multi-agency governance framework for promoting and coordinating Nigeria's exports of services, including financial services, ICT, professional services, healthcare, education, entertainment, and tourism. It aligns Nigeria's services export strategy with the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services and GATS commitments, aiming to grow services as a major non-oil foreign exchange earner.

Who Does It Target?

Nigerian service exporters: ICT companies, fintech firms, law and accounting firms, creative agencies, hospitals, and universities offering cross-border services Nollywood producers, Afrobeats artists, fashion designers, and game developers exporting creative services internationally Professional services exporters: engineers, architects, surveyors, and project managers bidding for contracts in African markets Government agencies providing regulatory approvals, facilitation, and promotion for services trade

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Grow Nigeria's services exports from approximately $4 billion annually to $10 billion by 2030, making services Nigeria's second-largest export category after oil Establish Nigeria as the leading exporter of digital, creative, and professional services in Africa under the AfCFTA single market Coordinate across 15 or more federal agencies with services export mandates to eliminate duplication, reduce red tape, and create a single facilitation window Enable Nigerian service providers to compete in African markets under AfCFTA's preferential market access commitments for services

Key Features

Inter-Agency Committee: The mechanism creates a standing inter-agency committee co-chaired by NEPC and FMITI, bringing together NCC, CBN, NITDA, NAFDAC (for health services), and creative sector agencies AfCFTA Services Passport: Nigerian services exporters can access a streamlined AfCFTA services market access package at NEPC, covering mutual recognition agreements and regulatory equivalence with partner states Services Export Incubator: NEPC operates an incubator for high-potential services exporters, providing market intelligence, deal-making support, and export readiness certification Mode 4 Temporary Movement: The mechanism addresses the temporary movement of Nigerian professionals to deliver services abroad (Mode 4 under GATS), facilitating visas and work permits for short-term assignments Creative Services Track: A dedicated track for Nollywood, Afrobeats, and fashion exports provides market access grants, trade mission participation, and streaming platform partnership facilitation Digital Services Rules: The mechanism establishes guidelines for cross-border digital services, data localisation requirements, and e-commerce facilitation for Nigerian platform companies

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active; inter-agency committee meetings quarterly; AfCFTA services schedule submitted by Nigeria in 2022; Services Export Incubator operational Implementing Body: NEPC (lead); FMITI; NCC; CBN; NITDA; NFVCB; relevant professional regulatory bodies Coverage: All services sectors with export potential; priority focus on ICT, financial services, creative industries, and professional services Funding: NEPC operational budget; Trade Enhancement Facility from AfDB; World Bank Nigeria Competitiveness Project; UNDP trade facilitation support

How to Access

Services Exporters: Register with NEPC as an export company and apply for the Services Export Incubator programme: nepc.gov.ng AfCFTA Market Access: Contact NEPC's AfCFTA desk for guidance on market access schedules, mutual recognition agreements, and partner state regulatory requirements Creative Exporters: Apply for NEPC's creative economy trade mission programme; register creative works with NCC for copyright protection before export Contact: NEPC: nepc.gov.ng | [email protected] | 44 Abolade Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

Official Resources

Website: nepc.gov.ng | fmiti.gov.ng Contact: NEPC, 44 Abolade Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos | [email protected] | +234 (0)1 261 9925 Policy Summary | Source: NEPC, FMITI, AfCFTA Secretariat, Vanguard, Punch Nigeria, World Bank Nigeria Services Trade | February 2026

Legal Framework

The National Coordination Mechanism for Services Exports operates under the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Act, the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995, and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Act. It aligns with the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Trade in Services.