CORRUPTION AS AN IMPEDIMENT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA AGREEMENT AND AFRICAN TRADE: THE NIGERIAN PARADIGM

Abstract

This study looks at corruption as an impediment to the implementation of African Continental Free

Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement and African trade. The paper undertook an overview of the corruption in Nigeria. It also discussed the legal and institutional efforts to tackle the issue of corruption. It also appraised the challenges of corruption on trade in Africa, especially the AfCFTA. A doctrinal research method, relying on primary and secondary sources of data collection was used. The primary source comprised legislations (1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria; Economic and Financial Crimes Act, 2004; Independent Corrupt Practices Commission Act 2004; Public Procurement Act, 2004 and a host of other transparency laws) and case law. The secondary source included textbooks, journal articles, newspapers, conference proceedings and the Internet sources. The study revealed that there is official corruption in Nigeria’s public life, capable of interfering with national development. It is also found that the challenges of official corruption have a deleterious effect on international trade, especially the trade in Africa. The legal and institutional frameworks in Nigeria are not robust and inadequate to curb official corruption, if weak implementation of the laws is not prevented. The study concluded that corruption is a major impediment to trade in Africa which needs to be curbed through stronger implementation of the domestic laws of the State Parties.