Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan alongside 15 other members of the National Committee for the Review and Amendment of Nigeria’s Child Rights Act, 2003.

 

Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan alongside 15 other members of the National Committee for the Review and Amendment of Nigeria’s Child Rights Act, 2003. 

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, officially inaugurated Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan alongside 15 other members of the National Committee for the Review and Amendment of Nigeria’s Child Rights Act, 2003. The ceremony took place at the Federal Ministry of Justice Auditorium, with the support of the Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman; the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica D. Mensem; the UNICEF Country Director; and the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Justice Eberechi S.N. Wike of the Court of Appeal.

The committee has been given a seven-month mandate, ending in December 2026, to undertake a comprehensive review of the 23-year-old Child Rights Act, identify implementation gaps and challenges, consult stakeholders for best practices, and draft proposed amendments. The committee is expected to submit to the Minister of Justice a comprehensive, adaptive, and responsive draft Child Rights Amendment Bill, 2026, for consideration by both the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.

Radio Nigeria News coverage on AfCFTA IP framework key to Africa’s sports economy

 

2026 World IP Day: Prof MT Ladan Commends Choice of Theme, Stresses Why Leveraging AfCFTA Protocol On IPR & Its Annexes Is Essential To Monetising African Sports

Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq LADAN 

A renowned Scholar of Law, Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, has thrown his weight behind the choice of the intellectual property and sports theme for the 2026 World IP Day, saying it is “apt”, and leveraging the AfCFTA Protocol on IPR and its annexes is essential to monetising African sports content, protecting local innovations, and managing rising digital, media and branding disputes in Africa.

Commenting ahead of the April 26 global commemoration, Professor Ladan, a professor of law and leading expert on intellectual property, said the theme highlights the crucial intersection of IP rights and the commercial future of African sports.

Marking the World IP Day on 26 April 2026 with the theme _“IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate”_, Professor Ladan noted that the theme highlights the crucial intersection of intellectual property and the African sports economy.

He explained that the AfCFTA Protocol on IPR of 2023, with eight new annexes finalized in February 2026, provides the framework for harmonizing fragmented IP systems across Africa. This, he said, is crucial for ensuring sports brands, trademarks, and copyright are protected uniformly across member states, simplifying cross-border sponsorship and licensing.

According to Professor Ladan, the Protocol is also key to digital transformation because it protects digital content, apps, and broadcasting rights. He stated that modern sports revenue is shifting from gate receipts to media and broadcasting rights, with high-value licensing agreements dominating the commercial landscape. The 2026 regulatory regime, he added, treats sporting content as commercially exploitable IP, fueling billion-dollar direct-to-consumer deals and enhancing fan engagement. IP also protects advancements in wearable technology, performance-enhancing gear, and training data, fostering innovation.

Professor Ladan pointed out that the growth of broadcasting and digital distribution has intensified disputes surrounding cross-border licensing and illegal streaming.

He observed that emerging market sports disputes are heavily focusing on arbitration to resolve conflicts related to IP, media rights, and athlete branding. Still, the current fragmented nature of IP laws across the continent creates hurdles for SMEs, creators, and athletes, while the high volume of illegal streaming and digital content theft presents a major barrier to realizing the full economic value of broadcasting rights. Implementing uniform enforcement of IP rights across diverse legal jurisdictions remains a challenge, he said.

On the way forward, Professor Ladan called for accelerated implementation of the AfCFTA IPR Protocol annexes approved in February 2026 to harmonize rules.

He urged strengthening the capacity of IP offices to manage digital IP and trademark registrations related to sports, and developing specialized arbitration mechanisms to handle sports-related IP disputes efficiently.

World IP Day is marked globally on April 26 each year to raise awareness of how intellectual property encourages innovation and creativity.

PROF M T LADAN EXPLAINS WHY THE CHOICE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) AND SPORTS THEME FOR 2026 WORLD IP DAY IS APT, AND LEVERAGING THE AFCFTA PROTOCOL ON IPR AND ITS ANNEXES IS ESSENTIAL TO MONETIZING AFRICAN SPORTS CONTENT, PROTECTING LOCAL INNOVATIONS, AND MANAGING RISING DIGITAL, MEDIA AND BRANDING DISPUTES IN AFRICA.

 

Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq LADAN (PhD)

Marking the World IP Day on 26 April 2026 with the theme:- "IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate",  highlights the crucial intersection of intellectual property (IP) and the African sports economy.

Leveraging the AfCFTA Protocol on IPR (with eight new annexes finalized Feb 2026) is essential to monetizing African sports content, protecting local innovations, and managing rising digital, media, and branding disputes. 

Leveraging the AfCFTA Protocol on IPR and Sports 

The AfCFTA Protocol on IPR (2023) and its 2026 adopted annexes provide the framework for harmonizing fragmented IP systems across Africa, crucial for the following:-

• Uniform Protection: Ensuring sports brands, trademarks, and copyright are protected uniformly across member states, simplifying cross-border sponsorship and licensing.
• Digital Transformation: Protecting digital content, apps, and broadcasting rights. 

Recent Data on Benefits and Commercialization

• Media Rights Value: Modern sports revenue is shifting from gate receipts to media and broadcasting rights, with high-value licensing agreements dominating the commercial landscape.
• Broadcasting and Streaming: The 2026 regulatory regime treats sporting content as commercially exploitable IP, fueling billion-dollar direct-to-consumer deals and enhancing fan engagement.
• Performance Tech: IP protects advancements in wearable technology, performance-enhancing gear, and training data, fostering innovation. 

Volume and Nature of Dispute Resolution

• Rising Disputes: The growth of broadcasting and digital distribution has intensified disputes surrounding cross-border licensing and illegal streaming.
• Arbitration Focus: Emerging market sports disputes are heavily focusing on arbitration to resolve conflicts related to IP, media rights, and athlete branding.

Challenges for Africa

• Fragmented IP Systems: The current fragmented nature of IP laws across the continent creates hurdles for SMEs, creators, and athletes.
• Digital Piracy: The high volume of illegal streaming and digital content theft presents a major barrier to realizing the full economic value of broadcasting rights.
• Enforcement: Implementing uniform enforcement of IP rights across diverse legal jurisdictions. 

Way Forward

• Accelerated Implementation: Swift implementation of the AfCFTA IPR Protocol annexes approved in February 2026 to harmonize rules.
• Strengthening Local IP Offices: Enhancing the capacity of IP offices to manage digital IP and trademark registrations related to sports.

• Sports-Specific Arbitration: Developing specialized arbitration mechanisms to handle sports-related IP disputes efficiently.

PROF M T LADAN CALLS ON THE ECOWAS HEADS OF STATES TO ADOPT THE VALIDATED ARBITRATION RULES AND THE HARMONIZED COURT PROTOCOL FOR POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL AND INVESTMENT DISPUTES RESOLUTION IN WEST AFRICA AND UNDER AFCFTA.

 

Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq LADAN 

In 2025–2026, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) focused on strengthening its legal framework through the validation of new Arbitration Rules and a Harmonized Court Protocol, along with the adoption of updated Practice Directions. 

Key developments in 2025–2026 regarding these instruments include:

Validation of Draft Instruments (August 2025): ECOWAS Ministers of Justice validated the Draft Harmonised Protocol and the Draft Arbitration Rules. These aim to streamline dispute resolution and support the AfCFTA.

Adoption of New Practice Directions (January 2025): The Court introduced the Instructions to the Chief Registrar and Practice Directions 2025, which include page limits on submissions, faster procedures for urgent matters, e-filing, and currency flexibility for damages.

Strategic Focus (2026): The Court focused on enforcing judgments, addressing a low compliance rate, and launched its 2026–2030 strategic plan to reduce case backlogs and enhance regional legal harmonization. 

These initiatives aim to improve the effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court and increase the enforcement of its decisions.

These instruments are intended to strengthen the ECOWAS Court of Justice, enhancing its ability to handle regional commercial and investment disputes, and will be submitted to the Authority of Heads of State and Government for final adoption. 

Key details regarding the arbitration rules and the court's role include:

Purpose: The new Arbitration Rules aim to equip ECOWAS with tools comparable to international standards to serve as a regional mechanism for investment and commercial disputes.

Validation: The validation occurred at a meeting in Banjul, The Gambia, following a review by experts.

Arbitration Mandate: Under Article 9(5) of the 2005 Supplementary Protocol, the Court is empowered to act as an arbitrator for the purpose of Article 16 of the Revised Treaty, pending the formal establishment of a separate Arbitration Tribunal.

Consolidation: The new Harmonised Protocol integrates years of fragmented amendments into a single, comprehensive text that defines the Court's composition, jurisdiction, and procedures. 

While these instruments are in the process of adoption, the ECOWAS Court has historically faced limitations in exercising its arbitral mandate due to the absence of specific procedural rules, a gap the new instruments intend to fill.

Dangote Leverages AfCFTA to Export Fuel, Fertilizer, Cement Across Africa, Says Prof. M.T. Ladan

Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq LADAN 

Renowned Law Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan has explained how Dangote Industries Ltd is bailing out African states by leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework on trade in goods and investment, with focus on refined oil, urea fertilizer and cement.

“Dangote Industries is actively mitigating supply shortages across Africa by leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework to export refined fuel, urea fertilizer, and cement, effectively acting as a regional industrial supplier to cushion against global supply shocks,” Prof. Ladan said.

He noted that recent data as of April 2026 indicates that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has scaled up to full capacity, exporting 17 cargoes of gasoline to West, Central, and East Africa to combat shortages and high import costs.

“The 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery has transitioned from testing to full operational capacity, becoming a major regional energy stabilizer,” he explained. “In early 2026, the refinery exported over 456,000 tonnes of fuel (diesel, jet fuel, gasoline) in 17 cargoes to African nations, including Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana, and Togo. These shipments help reduce West Africa’s reliance on distant European fuel imports and provide a closer, cheaper alternative amid global supply constraints (linked to geopolitical tensions). The refinery has dramatically reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported petrol, aimed at saving Nigeria up to $10 billion in foreign exchange annually and lowering transport costs for neighbouring states.”

On agriculture and food security, Prof. Ladan stated: “Dangote Fertilizer Ltd, the largest granulated-urea plant in Africa, is restructuring its exports to prioritize African agricultural markets over traditional customers in South America. The plant, which has a 3 million metric ton annual capacity, redirected shipments to African countries facing shortages, increasing urea supply to domestic West African markets. The group is planning to more than double fertilizer output to 12 million tonnes by 2028 to make Africa self-sufficient in fertilizer. By supplying urea locally, Dangote helps reduce the high import costs of fertilizer, aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and easing food security issues across the continent.”

Addressing infrastructure development, he said: “Under the AfCFTA framework, Dangote Cement has expanded its presence to enhance regional infrastructure. Dangote Cement operates in more than ten African countries (including Ethiopia, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Cameroon, and Congo) with a combined capacity of over 50 million tonnes. New plants are being commissioned in Niger, Benin, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. The group is leveraging the AfCFTA to ‘build Africa,’ replacing imports with locally manufactured cement in the Ivory Coast and other nations, thus lowering construction costs.”

Prof. Ladan explained how the company is using AfCFTA to overcome traditional trade barriers. “The company is expanding cement and fertilizer manufacturing locally in target countries (e.g., Ghana, Ethiopia), supporting the ‘One District, One Factory’ policy in Ghana and similar initiatives elsewhere,” he said. “The refinery is seeking more naira-priced crude to reduce fuel costs, aligning with the goal of strengthening intra-African trade and reducing reliance on foreign exchange. Dangote is moving from exporting raw materials to exporting finished products, aligning with the goal of industrialization under the African Continental Free Trade Area.”

PROF M T LADAN EXPLAINS HOW DANGOTE INDUSTRIES LTD IS BAILING OUT AFRICAN STATES BY LEVERAGING ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA ( AFCFTA) FRAMEWORK ON TRADE IN GOODS AND INVESTMENT:-FOCUS ON REFINED OIL, UREA FERTILIZER AND CEMENT.

 

Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq LADAN 

Dangote Industries is actively mitigating supply shortages across Africa by leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework to export refined fuel, urea fertilizer, and cement, effectively acting as a regional industrial supplier to cushion against global supply shocks. Recent data (as of April 2026) indicates that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has scaled up to full capacity, exporting 17 cargoes of gasoline to West, Central, and East Africa to combat shortages and high import costs.                                   

1) Refined Fuel and Energy Exports (2026 Data Analysis): The 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery has transitioned from testing to full operational capacity, becoming a major regional energy stabilizer        

Recent Exports: In early 2026, the refinery exported over 456,000 tonnes of fuel (diesel, jet fuel, gasoline) in 17 cargoes to African nations, including Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana, and Togo.                       

Regional Impact: These shipments help reduce West Africa's reliance on distant European fuel imports and provide a closer, cheaper alternative amid global supply constraints (linked to geopolitical tensions). 

Strategic Pivot: The refinery has dramatically reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported petrol, aimed at saving Nigeria up to $10 billion in foreign exchange annually and lowering transport costs for neighbouring states.           

2) Urea Fertilizer (Agriculture & Food Security): Dangote Fertilizer Ltd, the largest granulated-urea plant in Africa, is restructuring its exports to prioritize African agricultural markets over traditional customers in South America.          

Export Shift: The plant, which has a 3 million metric ton annual capacity, redirected shipments to African countries facing shortages, increasing urea supply to domestic West African markets.

Expansion Plans: The group is planning to more than double fertilizer output to 12 million tonnes by 2028 to make Africa self-sufficient in fertilizer. 

Impact: By supplying urea locally, Dangote helps reduce the high import costs of fertilizer, aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and easing food security issues across the continent.   

 3) Cement (Infrastructure Development): Under the AfCFTA framework, Dangote Cement has expanded its presence to enhance regional infrastructure.      

Production Capacity: Dangote Cement operates in more than ten African countries (including Ethiopia, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Cameroon, and Congo) with a combined capacity of over 50 million tonnes. ●New Investments: New plants are being commissioned in Niger, Benin, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo. 

AfCFTA Strategy: The group is leveraging the AfCFTA to "build Africa," replacing imports with locally manufactured cement in the Ivory Coast and other nations, thus lowering construction costs.       

 4) Leveraging the AfCFTA Framework, Dangote Industries is using the AfCFTA to overcome traditional trade barriers. 

New Trade Routes: The company is expanding cement and fertilizer manufacturing locally in target countries (e.g., Ghana, Ethiopia), supporting the "One District, One Factory" policy in Ghana and similar initiatives elsewhere. 

Local Sourcing: The refinery is seeking more naira-priced crude to reduce fuel costs, aligning with the goal of strengthening intra-African trade and reducing reliance on foreign exchange. 

Logistics & Scaling: Dangote is moving from exporting raw materials to exporting finished products, aligning with the goal of industrialization under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Prof Ladan calls for enhanced security of Africa’s Maritime Trade

A renowned Professor of Law and Coordinator of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof Mohammed Ladan, says increasing renewable energy production is essential to reducing Africa’s vulnerability to global oil price shocks.

Speaking on the need to strengthen the security of Africa’s maritime trade, anchored by deep-sea ports, strategic gulfs and major sea routes, Prof Ladan said establishing a unified African diplomatic stance on maritime security would help the continent navigate future disruptions.

He explained that strengthening initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area is crucial to reducing dependence on external trade routes and boosting intra-African commerce.

The AfCFTA Coordinator also stressed the need for Africa to enhance surveillance and security along the Cape of Good Hope and the Mozambique Channel, which have become high-risk zones for maritime activities.

Prof Ladan noted that rising shipping costs, surging insurance premiums, and oil price volatility have further exposed the continent’s vulnerability to global economic shocks.

He added that Africa’s focus in 2026 should be on port digitalisation initiatives, such as the National Single Window system, to reduce cargo dwell time and improve efficiency, rather than concentrating solely on port expansion.

Prof Ladan further highlighted the importance of developing strategic transport corridors, including the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor, to improve regional connectivity and reduce logistics costs across the continent.

Prof. M.T. Ladan Outlines Why Africa Must Urgently Secure Maritime Trade Routes Amid Global Shocks

Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq LADAN 

Renowned Law Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan has called for immediate action to enhance the security of Africa’s maritime trade, warning that deep-sea ports, strategic gulfs, and sea routes anchoring the continent’s economy are under growing pressure from global conflicts and shifting shipping patterns.

Prof. Ladan explained that in 2026, Africa’s maritime trade is anchored by key deep-sea ports like Lekki in Nigeria, Tema in Ghana, and Tanger Med in Morocco, alongside strategic gulfs such as the Gulf of Guinea and the Cape of Good Hope. These serve as vital, albeit challenged, routes for oil and containerised goods amid increased reliance on automation and rehabilitation of older ports.

He identified the Gulf of Guinea as the most critical maritime corridor for African oil and gas exports, spanning from Nigeria to Angola. While it is a major hub for international trade, he said it requires high levels of security management. The Cape of Good Hope has become a crucial route connecting Europe with Asia, particularly vital in 2026 as a primary alternative when security issues arise in the Red Sea/Suez Canal. The Gulf of Aden, though prone to geopolitical risks, remains a key route for East African trade, connecting to the Indian Ocean.

On ports, Prof. Ladan noted that Lekki Deep Sea Port operates as a major, modernised hub in 2026, handling large vessels and easing congestion for containerised trade. Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are undergoing large-scale rehabilitation to modernise operations and enhance handling capacity in 2026, while Onne Port is seeing increased investment. Tema Port in Ghana functions as a major container terminal and critical logistics node in West Africa. Tanger Med Port in Morocco continues as a key logistical hub connecting Africa with Europe and global routes, and Mombasa in Kenya remains the primary gateway for East African imports and exports.

He highlighted three key trends and challenges in 2026. First, operational shifts toward port digitalisation, such as the National Single Window, to reduce cargo dwell time and enhance efficiency rather than just capacity. Second, inland corridor development, including the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, is improving connectivity and reducing logistics costs. Third, security concerns persist, with high freight rates and insurance premiums anticipated in areas like the Gulf of Guinea, necessitating enhanced security.

Prof. Ladan said the March 2026 USA-Israel-Iran war has severely disrupted global shipping, forcing traffic away from the Red Sea/Suez Canal and toward the Cape of Good Hope, making Africa’s maritime security crucial. Rising shipping costs, surging insurance premiums, and oil price volatility — increasing costs for importers like Kenya while benefiting some exporters — highlight the continent’s vulnerability to global shocks.

He outlined four key strategic lessons. First, critical infrastructure risk: reliance on a few key maritime chokepoints like the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz is a high-risk strategy, threatening to paralyse trade to and from Africa. Second, the “Cape Route” is the new normal: the Cape of Good Hope is no longer just a contingency, but a critical, permanent alternative route needing increased security and infrastructure development. Third, economic vulnerability: the conflict has triggered oil price volatility and increased costs for African importers while simultaneously inflating freight rates, which fuels regional inflation. Fourth, security spillover: the threat of violence is spilling into the Indian Ocean, elevating the threat of piracy and illegal trafficking along the African coast.

On the way forward, Prof. Ladan listed five priorities. Africa must enhance surveillance and security along the Cape of Good Hope and the Mozambique Channel, which have become high-traffic, high-risk zones. Investing in modernising ports and maritime infrastructure along the coast in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya is urgent to handle increased traffic and boost efficiency. Strengthening initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is crucial to reducing dependency on external trade routes. Increasing renewable energy production is essential to reduce vulnerability to oil price shocks caused by Middle East conflicts.

Finally, establishing a unified African diplomatic stance on maritime security will help navigate future disruptions.

PROF. M T LADAN EXPLAINS THE NEED TO ENHANCE THE SECURITY OF AFRICA'S MARITIME TRADE ANCHORED BY DEEP-SEA PORTS, STRATEGIC GULFS AND SEA ROUTES:- KEY STRATEGIC LESSONS AND WAY FORWARD.

 

Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq LADAN 

IN 2026, Africa's maritime trade is anchored by key deep-sea ports like Lekki (Nigeria), Tema (Ghana), and Tanger Med (Morocco), alongside strategic gulfs such as the Gulf of Guinea and the Cape of Good Hope, which serve as vital, albeit challenged, routes for oil and containerized goods amid increased reliance on automation and rehabilitation of older ports. 

2) Key Maritime Gulfs and Strategic Routes (2026)

Gulf of Guinea (West/Central Africa): This is the most critical maritime corridor for African oil and gas exports, spanning from Nigeria to Angola. It serves as a major hub for international trade, although it requires high levels of security management.

Cape of Good Hope (Southern Africa): A crucial maritime route connecting Europe with Asia, particularly vital in 2026 as a primary alternative path when security issues arise in the Red Sea/Suez Canal.

Gulf of Aden (East Africa): While prone to geopolitical risks, this remains a key route for East African trade, connecting to the Indian Ocean.

3) Key Maritime Ports (2026)

West Africa (Nigeria/Ghana):

Lekki Deep Sea Port (Nigeria): Operates as a major, modernized hub in 2026, handling large vessels and easing congestion for containerized trade.

Apapa/Tin Can Island (Nigeria): Undergoing large-scale rehabilitation to modernize port operations and enhance handling capacity in 2026.

Onne Port (Nigeria): Key eastern port seeing increased investment.

Tema Port (Ghana): A major container terminal functioning as a critical logistics node in West Africa.

North/Mediterranean Africa:

Tanger Med Port (Morocco): Continues to be a key logistical hub connecting Africa with Europe and global routes.

East Africa:

Mombasa (Kenya): Primary gateway for East African imports/exports. 

4) Key Trends and Challenges in 2026

●Operational Shifts: The focus in 2026 is on port digitalization, such as the National Single Window, to reduce cargo dwell time (e.g., in Nigeria) and enhance efficiency rather than just capacity.

●Inland Corridor Development: Development of corridors like the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, improving connectivity and reducing logistics costs.

●Security Concerns: High freight rates and insurance premiums are anticipated in areas like the Gulf of Guinea, necessitating enhanced security.  

5) PROF.  LADAN FURTHER EXPLAINS THE KEY STRATEGIC LESSONS AND WAY FORWARD FOR AFRICAN MARTIME SECTOR:-

The March 2026 USA-Israel-Iran war has severely disrupted global shipping, forcing traffic away from the Red Sea/Suez Canal and toward the Cape of Good Hope, making Africa’s maritime security crucial. Rising shipping costs, surging insurance premiums, and oil price volatility (increasing costs for importers like Kenya, benefiting some exporters) highlight the continent's vulnerability to global shocks. 

●Key Strategic Lessons

Critical Infrastructure Risk: The conflict emphasizes that reliance on a few key maritime chokepoints (Red Sea, Strait of Hormuz) is a high-risk strategy, threatening to paralyze trade to and from Africa.

The "Cape Route" as New Normal: The Cape of Good Hope is no longer just a contingency, but a critical, permanent alternative route needing increased security and infrastructure development.

●Economic Vulnerability: The conflict has triggered oil price volatility and increased costs for African importers while simultaneously inflating freight rates, which fuels regional inflation.

Security Spillover: The threat of violence is spilling into the Indian Ocean, elevating the threat of piracy and illegal trafficking along the African coast. 

●Way Forward: Enhancing African Maritime Security and Trade

Securing Maritime Corridors: Africa must enhance surveillance and security along the Cape of Good Hope and the Mozambique Channel, which have become high-traffic,, high-risk zones.

●Accelerating Regional Infrastructure: Investing in modernizing ports and maritime infrastructure along the coast (e.g., in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya) is urgent to handle increased traffic and boost efficiency.

●Strengthening Regional Integration: Strengthening initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is crucial to reducing dependency on external trade routes.

Diversifying Energy Security: Increasing renewable energy production is essential to reduce vulnerability to oil price shocks caused by Middle East conflicts.

Diplomatic Coherence: Establishing a unified African diplomatic stance on maritime security will help navigate future disruptions.

STRENGTHENING PARLIAMENTARY CAPACITY FOR AfCFTA IMPLEMENTATION IN NIGERIA

Abuja, Nigeria, 5 March 2026 (ECA) – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC), in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and with the Contribution of the AfCFTA Secretariat, has concluded a three‑day Capacity‑Building Programme for Legislators, Parliamentary Staff and Legislative Support Staff on “The Role of Lawmakers in the National Implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement and its Associated Protocols in Nigeria.”

The workshop was held from 3 to 5 March 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria and brought together 150 participants, including Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, parliamentary clerks, legislative drafters, and legislative support staff.

The programme aimed to strengthen the legislative, oversight, and policy support functions of the Nigerian Parliament in relation to the national implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement and its Protocols. The AfCFTA, operational since January 2021, represents one of Africa’s most ambitious economic integration initiatives, with significant implications for trade, industrialisation, job creation, and inclusive growth.

Opening the programme, Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, Director‑General of NILDS, underscored the importance of equipping lawmakers and parliamentary staff with the technical knowledge required to translate AfCFTA commitments into effective national legislation and oversight. He emphasised the role of NILDS as a permanent institutional platform for sustained parliamentary engagement on AfCFTA implementation.

In his keynote address, Melaku Desta, representing ECA, highlighted AfCFTA as a transformative framework for Africa’s economic integration, noting that its success ultimately depends on credible domestication, institutional readiness, and coordinated executive–legislature action at the national level.

Goodwill messages delivered during the opening session by senior parliamentary leaders, including the President of the Senate, Senator Mr. Godswill Obot Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed the central role of the legislature in aligning national laws with continental obligations and exercising oversight over AfCFTA implementation.

Over the three days, participants engaged in a series of plenary sessions covering key AfCFTA implementation themes, including the nature and scope of the AfCFTA Agreement and Nigeria’s historic role in continental integration; ratification and domestication of AfCFTA protocols; implications of AfCFTA for national economies and the continental single market; lessons from the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative; protection of creativity and innovation under the AfCFTA Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights; the role of parliamentary clerks and legislative/legal drafters in domestication; executive–legislature relations; and cross‑border digital payments under the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol.

Discussions highlighted persistent capacity gaps, the need for policy coherence, and the importance of structured collaboration between the executive and legislature to ensure effective AfCFTA implementation.

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants adopted a Call‑to‑Action Resolution calling for, among others, accelerated ratification of outstanding AfCFTA Protocols; structured executive–legislature dialogue on domestication of the AfCFTA Agreement; strengthened institutional and budgetary support for key implementing agencies, including NILDS; enhanced stakeholder engagement, particularly with the private sector, women, youth, and small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs); and rigorous parliamentary oversight of AfCFTA implementation.

In the Call‑to‑Action Resolution adopted at the close of the workshop, participants commended the AfCFTA Secretariat, for its valuable technical inputs and sustained engagement throughout the capacity‑building programme. Participants noted that the Secretariat’s contributions were instrumental in strengthening understanding of the AfCFTA legal framework and its implementation requirements and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between national parliaments, the AfCFTA Secretariat, and continental institutions to support coherent, effective, and inclusive implementation of the Agreement and its Protocols.

The workshop forms part of ECA’s broader efforts to support Member States in translating AfCFTA commitments into concrete national outcomes, and to strengthen parliamentary capacity as a cornerstone of inclusive, rules‑based, and people‑centred continental integration.

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org

News coverage on the AFCFTA LAW ADVANCED CERTIFICATE COURSE ORGANIZED BY THE NILDS-ILA, 13-16 APRIL 2026.

 

PROF M T LADAN EXPLAINS THE KEY LESSONS FROM THE MEDIATORY ROLE FOR TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE WHEN UN SECURITY COUNCIL FAILED.

 

Professor Muhammed Tawfiq LADAN (PhD)

 As of April 8, 2026, after 40 days of intense conflict, the United States, Israel, and Iran reached an 11th-hour agreement to initiate a two-week, temporary ceasefire, heavily brokered by Pakistan. This followed the failure of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) efforts to halt hostilities. 

Key lessons from the mediatory role and the temporary ceasefire, considering the immense costs of the 40-day conflict, include:    

1. Diplomatic and Mediation Lessons when Regional Mediators Replaced Global Bodies: When the UNSC failed, regional players—particularly Pakistan—became central to brokering the truce. This highlights that proximity and local interests can override the gridlock of global institutions in the final stages of a conflict. 

"Apocalyptic" Brinkmanship Required Direct Mediation: The truce was achieved only after intense, direct diplomatic pressure was applied to both sides in the final hours before an announced, major escalation by the U.S..   

The "Negotiated Pause" Trap: Iran, recognizing the damage, sought a permanent end to the war, while mediators pushed a 45-day (later, two-week) plan. Iran feared a temporary pause similar to those in Gaza or Lebanon, where hostilities resumed quickly.Mediating Nuclear and Energy Goals Simultaneously: The truce required linking military de-escalation with complex issues like Iran’s uranium enrichment, the lifting of sanctions, and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.                              

 2. Military and Technological Implications of Asymmetric Warfare Challenges Conventional Power: Despite massive US-Israeli air strikes aimed at destroying Iran's infrastructure, Iran demonstrated it could sustain retaliatory strikes (missiles/drones) for 40 days and still impose terms.                              

The Danger of "The Final Hour": The ceasefire was reached with roughly 90 minutes left on a deadline set by the US to "destroy" Iranian civilization. This shows that high-risk ultimatum strategies can force compliance but risk total war.                      

Limitations of Intelligence/Strike Capability: Despite 40 days of operations, the war did not completely eliminate Iran's ability to retaliate or operate within the Strait of Hormuz.                               

3. Economic and Energy Costs with Strait of Hormuz as the Ultimate Leverage: The central, non-negotiable term for the US was the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz Its closure severely disrupted global shipping, causing energy prices to surge.                             

Global Inflationary Shock: The 40-day war caused a massive energy shock, with Brent crude briefly soaring, disrupting 32% of global oil and gas supply.                   

Economic Collateral Damage: The war demonstrated the fragility of Gulf economies, with damage to oil terminals, infrastructure, and increased war-risk insurance premiums threatening to create a recessionary environment in Asia.                                 

4. Humanitarian costs: The conflict resulted in significant loss of life, with reported deaths and casualties reaching thousands in Iran, Israel, Lebanon,  the Gulf states, and USA military personnel.       

Widespread Infrastructure Destruction: Airstrikes targeted urban centres and critical power/water infrastructure, resulting in substantial civilian suffering.                

5. Lessons for Future Conflict Temporary Ceasefires are Fragile: Tehran warned the 2-week pause was not the end, and hardliners expressed contempt for the deal, signaling a likely return to violence if long-term negotiations fail.  

Discrepancies in Scope: Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Iran but continued operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, highlighting that fragmented command structures can undermine a centralized ceasefire agreement.         

Verification is Crucial: The lack of a clear start time and continued minor activity on the first day highlighted that without robust, local verification, a cease-fire can be ignored.The 2026 war, which began around February 28, highlighted that even after 40 days of devastating conflict, the path to a lasting peace is complex, requiring a "definitive agreement" to prevent a cycle of temporary truces.