President Muhammadu Buhari says for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to have a positive influence on long-term investment in productive capacities, African governments must develop appropriate supporting policies, build requisite infrastructure and ensure an educated work force.
He said this in a keynote address at the opening of the 9th African Shippers’ Day held in Lagos.
Buhari, represented by the Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, said: “We’ll need to actively promote productive employment and decent work, women empowerment and food security and reduction in inequalities.”
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He said the AfCFTA reform would increase Nigeria’s exports to “other African sub-region, outside West Africa.”
He urged African countries to expand and diversify their participation in international trade and global value chains to create wealth and promote their socio-economic development.