FG to engage ministries, others on AFCFTA implementation

THE National Action Committee (NAC) for implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) says it will engage ministries, departments and agencies and major stakeholders as part of preparations for the commencement of the AFCFTA scheduled for January 2021.

This statement was made by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo during stakeholders’ meeting held with the Secretary-General, AFCFTA, Wamkele Mene, and other major stakeholders in the public and private sector in Lagos.

Adebayo, whose ministry is driving the AFCFTA implementation, stated that with the stakeholder sensitisation, the national action committee hopes to begin a long and engaging conversation with all the ministries, departments and agencies and stakeholders on what the AFCFTA will mean for them.

However, the Secretary of the committee and special assistant to the president on public matters, Francis Anatogu, described the stakeholders as integral part of the AFCFTA drive that would ensure a smooth, seamless and beneficial implementation of the agreement, further stating that AFCFTA will be a vehicle for Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification.