The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in collaboration with the secretariat of the National Action Committee on African Continental Free Trade, has conducted a comprehensive training program aimed at equipping Nigerian exporters with essential skills to harness the potential within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The training, titled “Exporting under the AfCFTA,” spanned two days and took place in Lagos. Organized by MAN’s Export Promotion Group, the initiative aimed to strengthen the capacity of current and potential exporters. The event sought to elevate the non-oil export sector in Nigeria and align it with the opportunities presented by AfCFTA.
MANEG’s acting Chairman, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, emphasized the association’s dedication to tapping into Nigeria’s economic potential by forging collaborative partnerships with industry stakeholders and bolstering its membership. She underscored that the training initiative was open to both existing and aspiring exporters, designed to enrich their knowledge and capabilities.
Erewa-Meggison noted, “The practical implementation of AfCFTA commenced in September 2022, witnessing the export of coffee products from Rwanda to Ghana and Exide Battery from Kenya to Ghana under the Guided Trade Initiative.” This initiative currently encompasses eight state parties, including Rwanda, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania, and Tunisia, which have met the minimum requirements for trade under AfCFTA.
Addressing Nigeria’s involvement, Erewa-Meggison highlighted the country’s ongoing steps to secure full participation in AfCFTA. While acknowledging that these eight countries are already operational under the Guided Trade Initiative, she expressed MANEG’s resolve to prepare its members for comprehensive comprehension of the free trade agreement and its potential benefits.
This training is a strategic endeavor to position MANEG as a pivotal non-oil export promotion advocacy group in Nigeria. The objective is to empower exporters with a deeper understanding of statutory trade requirements and optimal positioning under AfCFTA.
Franca Achimugu, the Strategy Coordinator of AfCFTA, emphasized the pivotal aspect of trade without borders within AfCFTA’s framework. The elimination of trade barriers and the establishment of a single market across Africa underscores the transformational impact of AfCFTA on trade dynamics, fostering unhindered goods exchange between nations.
Benedict Obhiosa, the Executive Secretary of MANEG, emphasized the program’s significance in educating participants about external trade’s statutory mandates. This knowledge equips participants to strategically align their businesses within the AfCFTA framework, ultimately paving the way for seamless participation in the pan-African trade landscape.
