NATIONAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF AFCFTA ENGAGES JIGAWA STATE STAKEHOLDERS: A STEP TOWARDS EXPANDING MARKET ACCESS AND REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT

On May 7th, 2024, the National Action Committee (NAC) of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) made a strategic visit to Jigawa State. This visit, coordinated by InvestJigawa, was designed to enlighten stakeholders about the potential advantages that can be derived from the AfCFTA initiative. These benefits include broader market access, unrestricted movement of labour, goods, services, and capital, as well as an increase in the export of commodities (especially agricultural and other non-oil commodities), manufactured goods, and services.

The NAC delegation, headed by Dr. Olusegun Olutayo, held a meeting with the State Technical Working Group on AfCFTA, led by the acting Commissioner of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism, Alhaji Sagir Musa. Following this, a larger stakeholder meeting took place at the Manpower Development Institute. The attendees were introduced to initiatives aimed at promoting business growth, increasing profits, significantly contributing to the development of the manufacturing sector, creating job opportunities, and increasing labour demand, thereby reducing unemployment. The stakeholders were also informed that the AfCFTA Agreement is expected to encourage Nigerian SMEs to extend their businesses to other African countries.