News - News Agency Of Nigeria

AfCFTA, new dawn in African integration – ACCI (Page 2,825)

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is marking a new dawn in Africa’s drive towards economic integration as it takes off Friday.

Alhaji Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, President, ACCI who made this known on Friday in Abuja, said it would ensure that various recommendations for its implementation would be acted upon.

AfCFTA agreement comes into effect on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.

According to Abubakar, today marks the realisation of a dream conceived in 1963 during the establishment of Organisation of African Unity, now African Union.

Across African capitals, from East to West and from North to South, the celebration is feverish as Africans today break decades of economic isolation by embracing unhindered trade access and interaction.

The continental trade is targeted at creating collective wealth and listing Africans out of the poverty bracket.

“As a leading Chamber in Nigeria, ACCI is elated to be part of this historic occasion, a process in which we actively participated from the beginning to fruition.

“We want to note that Nigeria has been fervently preparing for this day, especially through the mobilisation and strategic activities of the National Action Committee on readiness for the AfCFTA,’’ he said.

The ACCI president noted that various sub-sectoral groups have worked for months collating, designing and launching various sectoral action plans to put Nigeria’s private sector on a strong footing for the continental programme.

Abubakar affirmed that ACCI was a strong partner all through and set to ensure that various recommendations for accelerated readiness were acted upon.

According to him, Nigeria as the leading economy on the continent has a historic opportunity to deepen her economic reach and depth across Africa, leveraging on her affirmed strengths in services and manufacturing sector.

The president further said that Nigerian firms were already strongly rooted in many African countries.

He added that the new dawn would only enhance rather than diminish Nigeria’s economic influence on the continent.

Abubakar expressed ACCI’s commitment toward continuous mobilisation of her members to tap into the various sectoral action plans to enhance their capacities to trade within the context of the AfCFTA.

He said that ACCI would launch a Monthly AfCFTA Monitoring Review Roundtable to assess development within the free trade process, assess issues of interest and address disputation in the trading process.

The ACCI boss congratulated the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment and the leadership of the Nigerian private sector and identified with fellow Africans on the development.

The AfCFTA was officially launched on March 21, 2018, in Kigali, Rwanda and as of December 2020, 54 AU Member States had signed the AfCFTA agreement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the agreement establishing the AfCFTA on July 7, 2019.

Buhari, thereafter, immediately directed the constitution of a National Action Committee (NAC) which had coordinated its implementation readiness. (NAN)

AfCFTA, new dawn in African integration – ACCI

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: January 1, 2021

In: Economy/Business

Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) marks new dawn in Africa’s drive towards economic integration.Continue Reading

Crossover Service: Taskforce rates Churches high on COVID-19 protocols in FCT

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: January 1, 2021

In: Religious

FCT Taskforce on COVID-19 Protocols rates most Churches high on compliance with safety guidelines during Thursday’s Crossover Services to usher in New Year.Continue Reading

Foundation promises scholarship for 90 female science students in Kano State

By: Rabi'u Sani Ali

On: January 1, 2021

In: Education

Scholarship By Rabiu Sani-Ali Kano, Jan. 1, 2021 (NAN) The Ma’ajin Watari Foundation (MWF), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has promised to provide scholarship to 90 female science students to tackle shortage of female medical personnel in Kano State. Dr Abba Ahmad, MWF founder, told newsmen on Friday in Kano,Continue Reading

AFN promises to enhance athletes’ welfare in 2021

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: January 1, 2021

In: Sports

President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Ibrahim Gusau says federation plans to focus on improving welfate of its athletes in 2021.Continue Reading

Japanese PM vows to fight against COVID-19

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: January 1, 2021

In: Foreign

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga vows to fight against COVID-19, stresses Japan’s security alliance with U.S will remain foundation of Japan’s foreign policy.Continue Reading

Scotland to return to EU after UK exit, says first minister

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: January 1, 2021

In: Forum

Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland will soon return to European Union after the exit of United Kingdom (UK).Continue Reading

COVID-19: WHO clears BioNTech’s vaccine for emergency use

By: Rabi'u Sani Ali

On: January 1, 2021

In: Foreign

To speed up access to COVID-19 vaccinations in the developing world, on the eve of the new year, the UN health agency approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine for emergency use. Regulatory experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) from around the world and UN agency’s own teams reviewed theContinue Reading

Trump extends suspension of work visas, green cards

By: Rabi'u Sani Ali

On: January 1, 2021

In: Foreign

By Harrison Arubu U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday issued a proclamation extending the suspension of issuance of work visas and green cards. Trump imposed the measures in April and June to protect job opportunities for American workers amid a rise in unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The proclamationContinue Reading

Buhari restates commitment to address socio-economic challenges

By: Rabi'u Sani Ali

On: January 1, 2021

In: General News

President Muhammadu Buhari has again assured Nigerians that the country will survive and thrive in spite the ongoing socio-economic challenges.Continue Reading

2021: Be hopeful, better days ahead for Nigerians – Turaki

By: Ifeanyi Nwoko

On: January 1, 2021

In: General News

A former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, on Friday called on Nigerians to remain hopeful for a better year 2021 despite the challenges witnessed in 2020.Continue Reading

Follows Us

AfCFTA, new dawn in African integration – ACCI (Page 2,825)