By Stellamaries Amuwa, Abuja
The National Coordinator, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Awolowo, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to deepening intra Africa trade and economic diversification for revenue generation and job creation in Nigeria.
The National Coordinator gave the commendation during the Nigeria Launch and flag-off of Shipment under the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) recently held in Lagos to formally announced the commencement of trade under the Agreement in Nigeria.
Further, Awolowo extolled the Senior Trade Expert /Lead, Trade Enablement, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Olutayo, Charles Okaga, Apapa Port Manager, Compt. Babatunde Olomu PhD. Customs Command Apapa, Mr. Steen Knudsen Terminal Manager, APM Terminals and other members of the team who worked tirelessly for the GTI to see the light of the day in Nigeria.
He said, “Today, having fully fulfilled all the requirements for accession to the Guided Trade Initiative we stand as witnesses to the official flag-off of trade under this preferential trading arrangement with this symbolic shipment of a container from Apapa ports.It sets the stage for a new era of trade and prosperity for our country under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
The National Coordinator added that the commencement of intra-Africa trade in Nigeria also marked the transformation of his Committee from the National Action Committee on the AfCFTA (NAC-AfCFTA) to a Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office with authority to effectively deliver on the AfCFTA desired outcomes.
He highlighted 10 pioneer Nigerian companies ready to trade under AfCFTA to five countries in East, Central and North Africa, at the continental market.The companies, Awolowo listed include, “Le Look Nigeria Limited, exporting bags to Kenya, representing all the female entrepreneurs, She is going to receive the very first Nigeria/AfCFTA Certificate of Origin.
Others are Secure ID Limited, exporting smart cards to Cameroon. Dangote, exporting clinkers to Cameroon. Avila Naturalle, exporting black soap and shea butter to Kenya. Flour Mills Nigeria, exporting native starch to Algeria. Craft Methods Limited, exporting alcoholic bitters to Uganda. Ruchim Limited, exporting blended tea to Uganda. Cadstel Solutions exporting sim and bank cards to Uganda. Tolaram Group, exporting wrappers to Egypt and Hwani Industry Nigeria Limited, exporting water closet sanitary sets to Kenya.
