As the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement approaches full implementation, the Nigerian federal government has raised concerns about the insufficient level of trade between Nigeria and other African nations.
Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, conveyed this dismay during the opening ceremony of the 69th African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) Council meeting in Abuja. The event, hosted by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, centered around the theme “Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation – One Standard, One Test, One Certificate – Accepted Everywhere.”
Represented by Mrs. Comfort Lenkat Emenb, the Director of Weights and Measures in the Ministry, Minister Uzoka-Anite highlighted the unindustrialized state of the African economy. She noted that Africa predominantly exports raw materials while importing value-added goods. Disturbingly, Africa’s share of global trade is a mere 4%, and trade among African countries constitutes only 17% of their overall global trade.
Addressing the low level of industrialization, Minister Uzoka-Anite emphasized the collective responsibility to tackle challenges hindering trading capacities. The government recognizes the need to elevate Africa’s economic landscape by fostering industrialization and promoting more robust intra-African trade.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director-General of the Standards Organisation, also shared insights during the meeting. He underscored the meeting’s priority to encourage the adoption of standards across all trade sectors in Africa. Furthermore, he emphasized the creation of an enabling environment for the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) to flourish. This commitment reflects a shared goal among African nations to enhance trade practices and boost economic cooperation across the continent.
