Nigeria has urged the other African countries to work assiduously to encourage probity, transparency and promote a shared and inclusive prosperity for all Africans in a bid to defend and preserve the agreed rules in place to ensure the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, who made this known at the 13th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, added that Nigeria is keenly aware of her role in deepening intra-Africa trade and making it a success.
The President was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, at the online summit held at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Represented President @MBuhari in the virtual 13th Extraordinary Sessions of the Assembly of the @_AfricanUnion Heads of State and Government. Called for the commitments of member states of the @ecowas_cedeao as the @AfCfta Agreement begins on January 1. pic.twitter.com/8ox3GDZfeL
— Geoffrey Onyeama (@GeoffreyOnyeama) December 6, 2020
Nigeria also pledged to remain open to transparent and work with other countries across the continent, in the spirit of cooperation to deepen continental integration through the free movement of goods and persons across the continent.
According to President Buhari, “we must remain strident and committed in our support for the instrument while timeously addressing actions that could lead to breakdown of the rules-based African Continental Free Trade Area.”
“The successful commencement of trade in January 2021 is indeed the fulfillment of the collective dreams of our founding fathers, for a better, united, peaceful and prosperous Africa.
“Let us therefore keep in mind that any form of abuse of the rules that undermine our borders and affect our markets could be a recipe for strained trade relations, disorder, regional and geopolitical tensions and reduced economic growth.
While noting that the trade rules require trust and constant updates, President Buhari stated that AU member countries must continue to work to address and close noticeable gaps, in particular the challenges occasioned by ravages of COVID-19 pandemic and other critical issues affecting the continent.
The President who disclosed that Nigeria has taken bold and definitive steps to ratify the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), said: “In view of Nigeria’s strategic role in our collective effort to build the “Africa we want”, the Nigerian Government has taken bold and definitive steps to ratify the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
“Nigeria is keenly aware of her role in deepening intra-Africa trade and making it a success.
“We remain open to transparent work with our brothers and sisters across Africa, in the spirit of cooperation to deepen continental integration through the free movement of goods, natural and legal persons across the continent.”
“We must remain focused to ensure we do not derail in our quest for Africa’s integration,” he ended.
President Buhari assured the African Union Assembly that Nigeria is taking all the necessary steps to be fully prepared for the effective start of trading on 1st January 2021.
