Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, and the Union of African Shippers’ Councils, UASC, have restated their joint commitment to advancing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
This pledge was reiterated during a sub-regional seminar and meeting of Standing Committee No. 1 on Trade and Transport, hosted by the NSC in Lagos.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, called on member nations of the UASC to adopt a united approach against arbitrary shipping surcharges and exploitative freight practices that weaken trade competitiveness across West and Central Africa.
He emphasized the need for Shippers’ Councils within the region to fully exercise their regulatory and advocacy roles, ensuring transparency and fairness in shipping operations.
According to him, effective regulation and fair pricing would help reduce logistics costs and enhance the competitiveness of African exports in global markets.
The Minister described the AfCFTA as a transformative initiative capable of reshaping Africa’s economic landscape by creating a single market of more than 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of over $3 trillion.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Pius, noted that the AfCFTA presents a major opportunity for African economies to deepen regional integration, expand industrial capacity, and strengthen participation in global value chains.
Dr. Akutah explained that the Council is pursuing policies aimed at enhancing port efficiency, promoting multimodal transport systems, and developing inland dry ports and logistics hubs, all essential enablers for realizing AfCFTA objectives and the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.
He added that through collaboration, the NSC and UASC can build a unified regional position that encourages transparency, equity, and sustainability within the maritime sector.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary-General of the UASC, Mr. Abdurahman Abba Kafougou, highlighted the importance of Standing Committees No. 1 (Trade and Transport) and No. 2 (Cooperation and Regulation) as the technical engines that drive the Union’s mandate.
He explained that the studies and recommendations from these committees play a crucial role in shaping UASC’s operational and policy direction. Mr. Kafougou noted that the Lagos meeting, which was held alongside a mini sub-regional seminar on AfCFTA, demonstrates the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s leadership and commitment to promoting trade facilitation and regional cooperation.
He commended the NSC and the Government of Nigeria for their continued support and hospitality. The forum convened representatives from 19 member states, maritime and trade agency leaders, development partners, and key stakeholders in the transport and logistics sector to explore practical measures for strengthening trade preparedness under the AfCFTA framework.
