LCCI hails govt as AfCFTA takes off

By Johnmark Ukoko

Few days after the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) took off, the Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI) Muda Yusuf said his chamber is delighted that finally AfCFTA  has commenced.

The LCCI commended the 53 African countries out of 54 nations who were able to ratified the treaty before the January 1, 2021 take off date , adding that African countries were interested to boost trade among themselves .

Yusuf said his chamber is delighted that most African countries put their differences aside and ratified the treaty to make AfCFTA second only to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in trade volume.

The LCCI boss said the African 1.3billion huge population would now have access to goods coming from various countries, he stressed that despite the lack of infrastructure in the country Nigeria is going to massively benefit from the scheme.

He added that AfCFTA would boost the country’s economic development, adding that his members were ready to embrace the opportunities the scheme offers.

He stressed that the country’s manufacturing sector will now boost their sales as their products will now access other African market easily.

The LCCI boss commended the Federal Government for opening the country’s land borders, adding that will enhance intra-African trade.

‘I am delighted that AfCFTA has finally kicked off despite the delay caused by the outbreak of COVID -19 pandemic’ now trade will now flow across Africa freely. The huge population of Africa will now have the opportunity to access goods from all over Africa continent.

The LCCI boss stressed that AfCFTA is the game changer the African continent has been waiting for to boost their economy.

He charged Nigerian businessmen and women to seize the opportunities the scheme offers to boost their fortunes.