The National Secretary, National Action Committee, African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), Francis Anatogu, yesterday said the inability to manufacture raw materials and boost production has caused African countries to import 85 per cent of what it consumes.
Anatogu stated this during a press conference in Abuja ahead of the sub-national strategy workshop, stating that with the coming of the AfCFTA, the narrative would not remain the same.
Again, Africa imports 85 per cent of what it needs and that is why AfCFTA is here to change the narrative and make Africa an export-based continent.
He noted that the objective is to promote trade and economic integration among African countries through a single market for made in Africa goods and services coupled with free movement as well as liberalising trade by removing non-tariff barriers and harmonising standards.
Anatogu said for Nigeria, it is a unique moment because it is a journey to export-led growth as AFCFTA provides the country with the opportunity to position Nigeria as a hub for trade in goods and services. He also said the idea is geared towards working with states to define strategies, build capacities as Nigeria will only benefit from the AfCFTA if the natural resources in the states are properly harnessed.
The Director-General, Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Asishana Okauru, said: “The governors have come together and had made it an agenda for several months however the initiative takes time as you have to convince people, but with commitment of the states so far, significant progress will be recorded.”
Okauru said the workshop was aimed at having an understanding and outline strategies to define priorities and engage MSMEs, especially at the state level to leverage the AfCFTA and grow their businesses.
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