Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has underscored the capacity of Nigerian businesses to leverage innovation, investment and continental integration to compete successfully beyond national borders to the global stage.

She said this would enable the creation of jobs, building of local capacity and strengthening Africa’s industrial future.

The minister made the remarks during a two-city trade facilitation tour of SecureID’s world-class smart card manufacturing facilities in Lagos and Nairobi as part of her broader engagements on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Oduwole, who toured the company’s EMV-certified payment card, SIM card and secure government credential production lines, said the company’s operations demonstrated the possibilities that could be unlocked through deeper intra-African trade and industrial collaboration under the AfCFTA framework.

She observed live production operations, advanced card personalisation systems and the full range of SecureID’s products and solutions, which have reached more than 21 African countries as well as select markets in Europe.

The minister said this showed the role of indigenous manufacturing in reducing dependence on imports, while strengthening local capacity in strategic sectors such as digital identity, payments and secure credentials.

“This is precisely the spirit of the AfCFTA. Our best businesses should not stop at our borders, but should carry African standards, jobs and pride across the entire continent. SecureID has shown us what the future looks like, and it is already here,” she said.

Oduwole expressed the ministry’s commitment to work with the private sector to remove bottlenecks, deepen intra-African trade and unlock Africa’s full industrial potential under the AfCFTA framework.

“What I have seen in Lagos and in Nairobi is remarkable. SecureID represents exactly the kind of value-adding, export-oriented and pan-African manufacturing that the continent needs more of. This is a Nigerian and an African success story,” she said.

Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, SecureID, Kofo Akinkugbe, acknowledged the significant progress made by the administration of President Bola Tinubu in advancing Nigeria’s industrial capacity, improving the ease of doing business and positioning the country for deeper participation in intra-African trade.

According to her, the administration’s emphasis on export-led growth, implementation of the AfCFTA and promotion of domestic value addition has created a more supportive environment for indigenous manufacturers seeking to expand across the continent.

Akinkugbe noted that the company currently produces over 60 per cent of locally issued payment cards in Nigeria, reflecting the scale, reliability and reach of its operations.

She reaffirmed SecureID’s commitment to Nigeria and Africa, describing the company’s growth trajectory as evidence of what can be achieved through collaboration between government and industry.

Akinkugbe said that with more than two decades of manufacturing experience, the company has emerged as one of Africa’s leading smart card manufacturers.

Also speaking, SecureID Chairman, Mr Olumide Onakoya, said the company’s expansion reflects increasing opportunities created by regional integration and policy reforms aimed at strengthening African trade and manufacturing.