ACFTA Fest 2026 sets $5bn trade target, taps football legends for grassroots push

The promise of $5 billion in trade deals and partnerships is at the heart of the African Continental Free Trade Area Festival (ACFTA Fest 2026), as organisers position the event as a platform to drive intra-African commerce, youth empowerment and cultural exchange, alongside a high-profile exhibition football match in Abuja.

As part of activities lined up for the festival, Super Eagles Legends are billed to face African Legends at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, between February 26 and 28. The exhibition match, tagged “Tinubu’s Cup,” will feature some of Africa’s most celebrated football icons, including Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Joseph Yobo, Daniel Amokachi and Mutiu Adepoju.

Beyond the spectacle on the pitch, organisers said ACFTA Fest 2026 is strategically designed to empower 1.5 million African youths across entrepreneurship, arts and sports, and also facilitate $5 billion in trade deals and partnerships, while deepening grassroots awareness of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Kanu assured fans and stakeholders that the Super Eagles legends would turn up in full force for the event.

“It is happening in Nigeria, and the legends are going to be there. We are going to do what we normally know how to do, and we will perform,” Kanu said.

He noted that the involvement of former players goes beyond football, stressing the need to promote African culture and inspire young people across the continent.

“The most important thing is to understand why we are involved, which is to promote the culture of Africa and empower the grassroots. These are African legends, and being in Nigeria, all the legends are going to come out,” he said.

Also speaking, Eyong Enong, former Cameroonian international, said Nigeria is best placed to drive Africa’s transformation, describing ACFTA Fest 2026 as a visionary Pan-African platform for trade, innovation, culture and collaboration.

According to Enong, AfCFTA provides a unifying platform that cuts across politics and business interests, with the potential to deliver real impact across the continent.

“We are not just bringing legends to celebrate them; we are tapping into their experience and history and translating that to the next generation through mentorship, coaching and sports diplomacy,” he said.

Similarly, Aisha Abdulahi, vice president, legal, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), described the launch of ACFTA Fest 2026 as aligning strongly with ACCI’s mandate to promote enterprise development, trade and investment, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

“This festival reflects the spirit of AfCFTA by bringing entrepreneurs, creatives and institutions together to drive intra-African trade and collaboration,” Abdulahi said, adding that such platforms help move conversations from policy to action.

On his part, Diom Ambe, project lead for ACFTA Fest, said the event is aimed at promoting African culture while empowering grassroots communities.

“When you talk about legends, you have legends all over the world, but this is specifically African legends. Being in Nigeria, all the legends are going to come out,” he said.