Stakeholders call for education, standardisation to boost intra-Africa trade
By Lucy Ogalue
Stakeholders at the ongoing 30th General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation have called for standardisation in promoting sustainable development, innovation, and export-oriented manufacturing across Africa.
The stakeholders said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the ongoing 30th General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO).
According to them, such measure will facilitate trade in the African region.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme is “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century, Building a Quality Culture: One Market, One Standard.”
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite, said a symbiotic relationship existed between education, sustainable development, industrialisation, and trade in the 21st century.
The minister was represented by her Permanent Secretary, Nura Rimi.
According to Anite, the ministry considers these essential for economic efficiency, trade facilitation, and tackling developmental challenges.
She said standardisation was a strategic pillar for governments, stakeholders, and the standardisation community.
“The theme points out the need to equip the African youth with relevant skills and SMEs with innovative tendencies needed for the 21st Africa’s Industrial Development and Integration Agenda.
“As provided under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), it is necessary to create awareness of the role of standardisation in sustainable development to catch up with the rest of the world.
“Standards shape our everyday lives, drive economic efficiency, facilitate trade and are the fulcrum for tackling the challenges of moving towards a more sustainable and resilient development model,” she said.
The minister called for enhanced synergy and collaboration among African nations and ARSO member states to implement the AfCFTA agreement effectively.
She reiterated the Nigerian government’s goal to rejuvenate the economy through innovative strategies in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with standardisation playing a key role.
She urged delegates to leverage on the platform to foster greater political commitment and strategic partnership to effectively implement AfCFTA and the African Union’s 2024 Year of Education.
Earlier, the Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said it was important to address the enormous challenges hindering progress on the continent.
Okeke called for concerted efforts to equip African youth with the cognitive skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and succeed in an increasingly complex global landscape.
“Standardisation is not merely about setting guidelines; it is about fostering a quality culture that permeates every aspect of our lives.
“Stakeholders must re-commit and work collaboratively to address challenges such as out-of-school children and learning poverty rates.
“Our task is daunting yet achievable with concerted efforts and innovative approaches through the application of available technologies,” he said.
Mr Zubairu Abdullahi, representing the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, said the ministry would introduce standardisation courses in its curriculum.
According to him, this is a way of ensuring the standard of products and will also help raise consumer awareness in the country through education.
Meanwhile, the President of ARSO, Prof. Alexander Dodoo, called on African countries to use trade standards and collaborate to change the narrative for Africa.
“We have to create African solutions for African problems. If not, quality education will be meaningless.
“Our biggest challenge is our jobs; our youths are going across borders in the new slave trade because we have not created meaningful jobs for them.
“We owe it to ourselves as leaders to confront the African reality and forge a way for progress,” he said.
NAN reports that the event was attended by government officials and key stakeholders in the sector on the continent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Ese E. Eniola Williams
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