By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Manufacturers in Nigeria and the youths have been advised to exploit the opportunities offered by the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to create wealth and boost the country’s economy.
I The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, gave the advice, while commending
the commencement of trading under the AfCFTA at the weekend.
He describing it as a milestone achievement in boosting Africa’s economy amid the challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and global economic challenges.
He assured that his administration would continue to assist local manufacturers and youths in the state with capacity building programmes, conducive work environment and other incentives to make them competitive and position them to reap maximum benefits from trading under the AfCFTA.
His words: “We are encouraging creative young talents and local manufacturers in Edo State to tap from the offerings from the AfCFTA. We are expanding capacity at the Edo Production Centre and the Edo Innovation Hub so that we can build an army of productive young people to grab the opportunities offered.
“We have success stories from these facilities already. We have already initiated the Edo Tech Park project as another veritable launch pad. We are confident that these initiatives would empower our people to create wealth and employment opportunities to improve the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
He added that with the production and innovation hubs, 24/7 power supply provided by the Ossiomo Power Plant and enabling business environment, manufacturers in Edo could benefit the most from the new trading agreement in Africa.
“We are not relenting in providing support for individuals and groups to export their products and services and participate in the new continental trading agreement,” he said. But, the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union had stated, “The commencement of trading under the AfCFTA on the 1st of January 2021 is one of the most significant milestones in the continental integration project which will also improve the prospects of Africa as an attractive investment destination.”