Impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area on Small Traders in Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State

This study explores the perceived impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on small traders operating within Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State, one of the largest open markets in Africa. The AfCFTA, which commenced trading in January 2021, promises to liberalise tariffs on 90 percent of goods and create a single continental market of over 1.4 billion people. However, the practical implications of this agreement for micro and small-scale traders remain poorly understood at the grassroots level. The study adopts a descriptive survey design and collects data from 120 traders across textiles, electronics, foodstuffs, and consumer goods sections of the market using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests are used in data analysis. The research examines traders' awareness levels of the AfCFTA, their expectations regarding market access, competition from foreign goods, and potential for intra-African export expansion. The theoretical framework is anchored in trade liberalisation theory and the institutional theory of markets. Preliminary findings suggest that awareness of the AfCFTA among traders is limited, yet concerns about increased competition from cheaper imported goods are prevalent. The study recommends targeted sensitisation campaigns, capacity building for compliance with rules of origin requirements, and government-led support schemes for market traders seeking to leverage AfCFTA export opportunities. Findings contribute to the growing literature on AfCFTA implementation challenges at the micro-enterprise level in Nigeria. Keywords: AfCFTA, small traders, Onitsha, trade liberalisation, market awareness