Esther Oritse
Lagos — Following the inauguration of the first shipment of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AfCFTA initiated exports to five African countries, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite has said the implementation of the agreement industrialize the Continent.
Speaking at the launch of t e shipment, Anite also said that the agreement represents a bold and visionary step towards creating a single market for goods and services, thereby facilitating the movement of capital and people across Africa.
Anite also said that the shipment marks a significant milestone in the Continent’s journey towards realizing the full potential of the AfCFTA adding that it would boost economic integration, regional cooperation and the transform the African Continent through the power of trade.
According to her, “with the largest free trade area in the world, encompassing 54 countries and over 1.3 billion people, the AfCFTA holds immense promise for driving industrialization, economic diversification and job creation.”
The Minister explained that the agreement will spring up new business leaders, entrepreneurship and manufacturing that would herald a new era in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
She said: “The immense opportunities that AfCFTA holds for Nigeria are vast and by extension, it holds the same promise for the entire African Continent.
“We must all join hands to ensure that AfCFTA delivers for our people, driving sustainable growth and development.
“By the launch of the Guided Trade Initiative, GTI, our goal is to operationalize AfCFTA by providing the practical support and guidance to businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Let me also extend my heartfelt congratulations to the first companies that will be trading under this initiative from Nigeria. We recognize your exemplary effort. Your pioneering spirit and resilience are testament to the true strength of the Nigerian character and our success set a powerful example for other businesses to follow.
“Your achievement reflects the potentials that lie within our nation and the boundless opportunities that AfCFTA presents.”
Similarly, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi assured stakeholders of the agency’s preparedness to play its role in facilitating export trade’
