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How is Nigeria positioning to benefit from the AfCFTA?
Nigeria’s National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement has kicked off an awareness and sensitization tour across the country. The campaign aims to prepare Nigerians in the public and private sectors to take advantage of the pan-African trade agreement. Francis Anatogu, Secretary of the National Action Committee on AfCFTA joins CNBC Africa to discuss the progress of Nigeria’s AfCFTA agenda.
Fri, 19 Feb 2021 11:49:46 GMT
Disclaimer: The following content is generated automatically by a GPT AI and may not be accurate. To verify the details, please watch the video
AI Generated Summary
- The National Action Committee on AfCFTA is conducting a nationwide sensitization tour to enlighten the public and private sectors about the opportunities presented by the trade agreement.
- Stakeholders have expressed enthusiasm about the potential benefits of the AfCFTA, with a focus on identifying key sectors for export opportunities.
- Interagency cooperation and support for the private sector are crucial in driving the successful implementation of the AfCFTA and maximizing its impact on Nigeria's economy.
Nigeria's National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement has intensified its efforts to raise awareness and sensitize the public and private sectors about the benefits of the pan-African trade agreement. The nationwide sensitization tour, which kicked off in February, aims to prepare Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA. Francis Anatogu, Secretary of the National Action Committee on AfCFTA, provided insights into the progress of Nigeria's agenda during a recent interview with CNBC Africa.
Anatogu highlighted that the sensitization and awareness sessions began in August but were initially conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the committee has now transitioned to in-person events, with visits to states like Kaduna and Bauchi already completed. The upcoming itinerary includes engaging with stakeholders in Nasarawa State, with plans to reach more states in the coming weeks.
The focus of the campaign is to disseminate information about the objectives of the AfCFTA, outline the potential benefits for various sectors, and strategize on how Nigeria can position itself competitively within the continental market. Anatogu emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement, highlighting the need for communities to identify key areas of focus and align them with export opportunities.
Feedback received from stakeholders has been positive, with many expressing enthusiasm about the prospects offered by the AfCFTA. While concerns around infrastructure and competitiveness have been raised, there is a general sense of excitement about the potential economic growth and expansion that the trade agreement could bring to Nigeria. Anatogu mentioned that consultations with different sectors, including transportation and private sector players, have been instrumental in gathering valuable inputs for the committee's strategy document.
In discussing the level of interagency cooperation required to achieve the committee's objectives, Anatogu underscored the collaborative approach taken by various government agencies involved in trade and competitiveness. The National Action Committee has appointed champions to drive the implementation of the AfCFTA agenda and mobilize support from stakeholders. Anatogu acknowledged the need for a mindset shift towards supporting the private sector to take a leading role in leveraging the trade agreement.
While progress has been made in fostering coordination among different agencies, Anatogu emphasized that there is still work to be done to fully realize the potential of the AfCFTA for Nigeria. The commitment and active involvement of government agencies, along with increased support for the private sector, will be instrumental in ensuring the successful implementation of the trade agreement and maximizing its benefits for the country.
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