Avila Naturalle Commences Inaugural Shipment Under AfCFTA Nigeria

Avila Naturalle Limited, a leading Nigerian manufacturer of natural beauty and wellness products, has commenced its inaugural shipment to Kenya through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) after being recently selected amongst the Nigerian frontline companies to pioneer Nigeria’s inaugural shipment to other African countries.

Avila Naturalle is shipping some of its flagship products of high demand within the African region, including Raw Shea Butter, Papaya Bar Soap, Papaya Shea Body Butter and Coconut Shea Body Butter to Kenya, under the guidance and facilitation of AfCFTA Nigeria; Nigerian Customs Service, and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO).

Speaking during the ceremony at the NAHCO Export Plaza in Lagos, Senior Trade Expert/Lead, Trade Enablement, National Action Committee on AfCFTA, Olusegun Olutayo said the shipment marks another milestone in the implementation of the AfCFTA Nigeria Guided Trade Initiative and also a step in the right direction for the economic development of Nigeria, which is a significant agenda of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Mr Olutayo, this milestone shipment marks a significant step forward in the implementation of the AfCFTA in Nigeria, which aims to promote intra-African trade and economic integration that provides Nigerian businesses the opportunity to export their products seamlessly, ultimately further paving the way for the country’s economic growth.

He explained that Nigeria’s current Import-Export ratio must be significantly reversed to ensure that the country’s import dependency is drastically reduced while reinforcing the export activities.

Speaking during the event, which also witnessed the presentation of the Certificate of Origin to Avila Naturalle, President/CEO of Avila Naturalle Limited, Dr. Mrs Temitope Mayegun said Nigeria’s inaugural shipping through the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative is a significant milestone both for Avila Naturalle and Nigeria.

“It is a great privilege to be part of this historic moment in the development of trade in Africa. We are truly grateful to the AfCFTA Nigeria, and other government agencies involved in the facilitation of this great feat, including the Nigerian Custom Service and NAHCO. This initiative is significant to us in Avila Naturalle as it not only aligns with our strategic corporate objective of expanding the reach of our products to a wider audience across the continent of Africa but also validates our capacity and readiness to harness the opportunities of the intra-Africa transborder trade.”

“With this inaugural shipping, Avila Naturalle aims to penetrate the African continental market expansively through our extensive distribution network and collaboration with new international sales partners. We are embarking on what I will describe as an exciting new chapter, redefining the natural skincare terrain as part of our strategic business direction that emphasizes productivity and international expansion”, she noted.

Avila Naturalle Limited is a Nigerian company that specializes in the production of genuinely natural skincare and wellness products. Avila is promoting a healthier and happier society through its wide range of skincare products that are natural, healthy, safe from harmful substances and do not bleach the skin. With hundreds of products within its product portfolios including African Black Soaps, Body Butters, Body Oils, Body Moisturizers, Face Creams, Serums, Baby Care and Bar Soaps, the company is committed to enriching lives while promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in its operations.

AfCFTA Nigeria which is championed by the National Action Committee on AfCFTA was set up in December 2019 to coordinate the activities of the various government agencies and private sector stakeholders to implement interventions to prepare Nigerian businesses for the AfCFTA.

The AfCFTA official launching and inaugural shipping, which is scheduled to hold this July, will benefit the Nigerian economy and businesses through larger market access and free movement of labour, goods, services, and capital. The AfCFTA Agreement will also motivate Nigerian businesses to expand their businesses to other African countries, thereby fostering business growth, increasing profit, and contributing substantially to the development of the manufacturing sector.